Outline planning permission has been granted for a major redevelopment scheme that could transform a large part of Chippenham.
Central Chippenham Partnership (CCP) wants to redevelop much of Langley Park – the town’s original industrial centre – and refurbish Hathaway Retail Park.
Its plans will regenerate the 54-acre site of existing retail and dilapidated industrial buildings to the north of the town centre and close to the railway station, replacing it with a mixed-use development to include leisure, retail, offices, industrial and residential uses.
The Partnership – a joint venture between Aberdeen Property UK Retail Parks Trust and Ashtenne Industrial Fund – will also make highway alterations to the town to vastly improve its connectivity. 
Councillors on Wiltshire Council’s north area planning committee voted in favour of the outline plans with a large majority.
The approval is subject to the completion of a planning obligation to complete an agreement to include 30% of housing on site to be affordable, offsite highway works including improvements to the Little George Roundabout and a £100,000 contribution to deliver a lift on the northern side of the public foot/cycle bridge across the railway.
Contributions are also required for new public transport facilities, public open space improvements and primary and secondary education.
While the retail park is thriving with tenants such as B&Q and Halfords, much of Langley Park is disused, with buildings dating back to the 19th century when it formed a major industrial complex. The site, which runs alongside the main London-Bristol railway line, later became the base for the giant Westinghouse rail equipment manufacturing business.
