Controversial plans to replace Pewsey police station with apartments resurface
New images reveal proposed development in Wiltshire village
Plans to demolish the village police station in Pewsey, Wiltshire and replace it with an apartment block have resurfaced, accompanied by new images illustrating the proposed development.
Pewsey Community Land Trust is seeking permission from Wiltshire Council to transform the existing police station and bus shelter site into affordable housing accommodations comprising a three-bedroom house and seven flats.
Situated near King Alfred's statue within the Conservation Area, the site currently includes a two-storey semi-detached brick police house slated for refurbishment and a single-storey flat-roofed police station building that dates back to 1959.
This police station would be demolished to accommodate a three-storey apartment block, featuring a fully accessible flat on the ground floor for residents with reduced mobility.
The project's land, jointly owned by the Police & Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Pewsey Parish Council, has received mixed responses since the plans were first submitted in 2024.
Out of the 125 representations made to Wiltshire Council, many have been negative, with objections regarding the design's compatibility with the village's aesthetic.
Wiltshire Council’s senior conservation officer, Fiona Webb, expressed concerns over the proposal's design quality, asserting it does not meet standards expected in conservation areas.
Residents have echoed such objections, voicing disagreement over the development’s suitability to the area's architectural character.
Laura Bartlett emphasised, “This development does not suit the area’s aesthetic at all. It would look extremely out of place next to thatched roofs and lovely well-looked-after buildings.”
Paul Lacey and Barbara Dalton similarly criticised the proposal for being overdeveloped and lacking imaginative design befitting the ancient village’s historical ambience.
Contrary to these concerns, Pewsey Parish Council supports the scheme, suggesting that Pewsey should be perceived as a living village with diverse building styles rather than solely as a heritage centre.