Spotlight on Malmesbury
A site in Malmesbury to be jointly developed by house builder Redrow and the Minton Group has become the subject for a BBC television programme thanks to its unusual history. Cowbridge House on Swindon Road in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, dates back to the 1700s and its varied past has seen the property provide a stately residence for a royal yachtsman in the late 1800s, as well as being the base for a telecommunications company in the 1980s.
But it is the role that the site played in World War II as a factory that produced the highly influential Ekco Radar - that was the topic of the BBC’s regional ‘Inside Out’ programme. It was said that radar helped to win the war.
For the three local men featured in the programme, Cowbridge House holds many memories. Amy Thornton, researcher of the programme, said: “The men in the film have had such interesting experiences at Cowbridge House. Charles Exton, one of the three, worked at the house when it was the radar factory and in the programme he discusses the role he played at that time.
“Chris Pool and Mike Rose, the two other men, also have a committed interest in Ekco Radar and the property and the two now run a website dedicated to its history. All three came to make this film to ensure that the ground breaking work done there during World War II would be commemorated by the placing of a plaque
Award winning house builder Redrow has acquired part of the site of Cowbridge House for a residential and home working development of circa 120 new homes
The homes will form part of a wider mixed-use development being undertaken jointly with the Minton Group.
Minton Group has planning consent for a 12-acre redevelopment scheme comprising an office courtyard scheme, home working units, market housing and affordable housing, together with an existing fully let office which provides local employment for 150 people . The mill at the site will be converted into a restaurant.
Redrow’s contribution is expected to include one and two-bedroom apartments, plus three, four and five-bedroom houses, a proportion of which will be for home working; and this residential element of the scheme will have an estimated completed development value of circa £31 million.
Michael Blake, land director for Bristol-based Redrow Homes (South West), says: “This is a site with a fascinating history – as the BBC’s interest proves. Our own plans will help form a new chapter in the story of this property and we are very much looking forward to launching what will be our first development in Malmesbury.”
The new housing will enjoy the benefits of a countryside location, overlooking the river, mill race and water meadows. A protected mature tree belt within the site will be retained, creating an attractive backdrop.
Michael adds: “The development will also contribute towards the wider community of Malmesbury. As part of a Section 106 agreement with the planning authority, a £375,000 package of improvements has been agreed that will include enhancing local bus services and refurbishing Malmesbury town hall.”
Redrow hopes to launch the residential part of the development in July and have the first new homes ready to move into by April next year, subject to gaining the necessary detailed consent.
Redrow’s Bristol based subsidiary is active along the M5 and M4 corridor, including current developments in Chippenham, Trowbridge, Swindon, Nailsworth, Gloucester and Weston-super-mare. It is also set to redevelop the 77-acre Hewlett Packard site in North Bristol. For further details of these and other developments visit redrow.co.uk.
