In October, Acorn Property Group, the owner of Emery Gate Shopping Center in Chippenham, said it was expected to submit plans to transform the site within weeks.
But those proposals were delayed while the developer made “final changes” to the designs, and city center flooding also had an impact.
Emery Gate was one of several venues forced to close after flooding in the city center during Storm Bert, and Acorn has been investigating the site since then.
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The latest plans for Emery Gate (Image: Acorn Property Group) Caroline Wall, project manager for the Chippenham Riverside project, said: “We are committed to delivering an exemplary project in Chippenham and since the end of the consultation we have made final tweaks to the designs to ensure we submit the best possible.” Application.
“We have also carefully assessed the site following recent flooding in the city and are ensuring our flood and drainage strategy is as comprehensive as possible.
“Having considered these issues, we look forward to submitting the planning application soon. This is a unique opportunity to transform and enhance Chippenham town center.”
Although a formal planning application has not yet been submitted, Acorn has communicated details of the plans to the public through several consultations throughout 2024.
Recent proposals include replacing the current retail offering with 3,500 square meters of retail, food and leisure space.
In addition, around 225 apartments would be built on the site, ranging from one- to three-room apartments.
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The plans would see the centre's main street facade changed and new connections created to Island Park and the River Avon.
The proposals have been controversial and although many accept that the shopping center needs to change, concerns have been raised about increased traffic in the town center.
Residents and Chippenham Town Council will have the opportunity to submit objections, comments or support to Wiltshire Council once the planning application has been submitted and validated.
Acorn hopes to renovate the mall to address declining customer traffic.
The developer believes Emery Gate's difficulties in its current form were highlighted by the closure of Tesco supermarket in August this year.
Tesco has since moved to a smaller site on the High Street.