AN overhaul of a Wiltshire shopping centre is set to begin, if the first plans are approved.
Scrace Architects have submitted a planning application to Wiltshire Council, on behalf of Wilton Village Holdings Ltd, to ‘activate’ units 1-4 of the shopping centre, and makeover the surroundings.
Wilton Village – latterly known as The Guild – is a shopping and office complex, surrounded by King Street and Minster Street.
Largely housed in former factory buildings, two parts of the site are linked by footpaths and a pedestrian bridge over the River Wylye.
The scheme would “enhance visual interest and wayfinding”, as well as redefining the central square of the site, and “create connectivity”.
“Over the past few months we have been working alongside the team to maximise the potential for the site and the community,” the application said.
“This initial application represents the first phase of redevelopment of the site.”
An impression of the redeveloped bridge area included in the application. Picture: Scrace Architects/Wiltshire Council
After assessing conditions at the centre, the application said the plans featured enhancements to store façades at Wilton Village.
It said the initial proposals were “modest but present a clear vision for the future of the site”.
“As part of the initial exercise to understand the site it became clear that pathways through the site were important and needed to be enhanced,” it went on.
New signs, improved lighting, entrances and public spaces are all part of the plan, the architects said.
“The specific area to which this application relates is the industrial set of buildings on the first island, the first in a series entering the site, which has been poorly maintained over recent years and needs enhancement,” the application said.
It added: “Over the years, Wilton Shopping Village has played a successful part of Wilton life, with many visitors coming to the site for shopping and leisure.
“Shopping habits have since changed and vision is required to take it forward. Both internet supply, lifestyle changes and the pandemic have however put pay top the original setup.
“Like many High Streets with a retail focus, Wilton has suffered. However, the benefit of Wilton over other new build developments it has the advantage of both setting and character.
“To this end, and with its heritage, it serves as a promising destination for regeneration. Through the enhancement of existing stock it will also prove to be more sustainable than its counterparts.
“By maximising the use of Wilton Village’s current infrastructure, the centre can be revitalised. Elevational treatments can modernise the site while keeping disruption low with managed environmental impact.
“Enabling the potential re-use of these units that have been empty and untouched for some time will give an injection of life to a site that has been quiet for too long.
“This is particularly true of Wilton where limited investment in maintenance has left the site needing work.”
For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to wiltshire.gov.uk and search application reference PL/2024/09491.
About time the place was brought back to life! Nice Café and a few shops left but desperately needs a concept and investment to flourish. I wish them the best in their endeavours.