Swindon & Wiltshire News
Developer submits plans to demolish Chippenham shopping centre
Plans to redevelop Chippenham’s Emery Gate shopping centre have been submitted by the site’s new owners.
The Chippenham Riverside scheme is billed by the applicants as “The largest economic investment Chippenham Town Centre has seen in decades.”
Acorn Property Group, which acquired the circa 1986 shopping centre in 2022, wants to partly demolish the existing buildings – including the former Tesco supermarket which closed in August last year – to create 4,000 sq m of commercial floorspace across 17 new units ranging from 90 sq m to 360 sq m.
The plans would see 225 new low-carbon apartments – 45 per cent one-bed, 51 per cent two-bed, and four per cent three-bed – built at the site, along with 200 parking spaces and new travel routes for walking and cycling.
How the development might look
Planning consultants Lambert Smith Hampton, on behalf of the applicants, say the development would “replace an existing failing shopping centre,” offer opportunities for new businesses, and revitalise the town centre.
Acorn Property Group added: “Emery Gate is a key pillar of the local high street.
“However, we’re continuing to see a decline in footfall at traditional shopping centres and Emery Gate is unfortunately no different, with Tesco only the latest casualty. We can’t hope that the retail sector turns the clock back 25 years.
“We have to do something different and embark upon a radical programme of change to secure Emery Gate’s future and support the rejuvenation of Chippenham town centre.”
Planning authority Wiltshire Council is currently consulting on the plans.
