About Us

The aim of Transforming Trowbridge is to enhance the town’s prosperity and environment in line with its status as Wiltshire’s county town.

The project – which started life as a planning exercise called the Vision for Trowbridge – was formerly led by a steering group made up of representatives from West Wiltshire District Council, Wiltshire County Council, Trowbridge Town Council, Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce, the South West Regional Development Agency and other key partners.

This group was set up in 2002 when the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West identified Trowbridge as a strategically significant town within the region, where an increased proportion of new development should be located.

The aspiration to raise Trowbridge’s profile to a level deserving of a county town, coupled with the development potential of significant sites in the town centre, has provided the impetus to move away from piecemeal, uncoordinated development towards a strategic, comprehensive approach to regeneration.

In May 2009, following the establishment of Wiltshire Council as the new unitary authority for the County, Transforming Trowbridge was re-established as a Special Purpose Delivery Vehicle with the goal of leading on and advising Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet on the regeneration of Trowbridge. The new Transforming Trowbridge Board included for the first time representatives of major local employers along with Chamber of Commerce and Mid Wiltshire Economic Partnership to ensure that the regeneration of the town addressed the needs of the business sector and was best placed to fulfill the economic growth agenda.

Overarching Aim

To grow  and integrate the infrastructure and capacity of Trowbridge to meet existing need in retail, leisure, employment, commerce, housing  and skills and to meet the future challenge of the planned major growth in population.

Objectives

  1. Providing the forum that will enable Wiltshire Council and other interested parties to facilitate the regeneration of Trowbridge
  2. Develop a Masterplan to ensure that a new Vision and its constituent projects are consistent with Trowbridge’s status as a Strategically Significant Town and with the Wiltshire Core Strategy and to monitor and maintain this document.
  3. To facilitate the production and adoption of a strategic infrastructure and integrated transport  plan  for Trowbridge
  4. Promote activities to engage the community in the planning and delivery of the Vision including involving and interfacing with networks and organisations that may have shared/overlapping objectives and/or which can contribute to the Vision

In addition Transforming Trowbridge aims to:

  • Ensure the delivery of high quality development in a coordinated and sustainable manner;
  • Ensure the integration of development sites within a connected, legible and high quality town centre;
  • Raise aspirations within and about Trowbridge;
  • Develop a Trowbridge “Brand” and marketing/promoting the town as a place to invest, live, work and relax;
  • Improve communication both between key partners and with external bodies;
  • Ensure that the benefits of regeneration and inward investment are shared with all sections of the community;
  • Ensure that the transport system (car parking, signage, rail, buses and other modes) is integrated with the development of the town centre;

Achievements and Milestones

Phase Deliverable Completion/Delivery
Outputs
1. First phase of regeneration of key sites – Brewery Gate, The Gateway

Total value of first phase developments: >£65 million

 August 2010
2. Trowbridge Masterplan Phase 1 – Scoping and Vision Study August 2010
3. District Heating (CHP) Feasibility Study December 2010
4. Second phase of regeneration of  key sites – Pork Farms, Brewery Gate By End 2015
5. Delivery of town centre leisure campus By End 2017
6. Trowbridge Urban Extension By end 2026
Outcomes
Increased resident satisfaction

Significant reduction in retail market leakage

Availability of employment land and employment opportunities that matches population needs

Trowbridge is more sustainable, self-contained,  in the top quartile of the most sustainable towns in the UK with a significant reduction in out-commuting

Improved business confidence – resulting in increased inward investment, local investment, innovation and growth