LOCAL housing association Selwood Housing Group has announced its recent purchase of The John Bull pub site in Studley Green, Trowbridge, for an undisclosed sum.

Estate agents Savills had been marketing the former public house - which was built in 1950 - off an asking price of £450,000 and with planning permission granted for five houses at the rear.

Trowbridge-based Selwood Housing - which owns and manages almost 7,000 homes for rent and shared ownership in the

South West will use the site to deliver much-needed affordable homes.

The property is situated prominently fronting Westfield Road with the surrounding properties mainly semi-detached and terraced residential housing.

Selwood Housing Group development director Paul Walsh said: “This site has been vacant for a number of years.

"We’re delighted to have the opportunity to invest in and regenerate this site at the heart of Studley Green to provide local, affordable homes.

“We are really keen to hear people’s views as part of our consultation before plans are submitted to Wiltshire Council.”

Selwood Housing’s proposal is for a mix of affordable homes, with some available for rent and some for shared ownership, which offers applicants a more affordable way of getting onto the property ladder.

Subject to planning permission, up to ten new affordable homes will be built on the site with high-quality design and energy efficiency being at the core of the build.

Selwood Housing is inviting members of the public to submit feedback and comments on the plans through its website and has already received a good response.

A spokeswoman said: "We’ve already had a lot of local interest on social media and extended the consultation period to May 9."

The feedback will help shape the plans before a planning application is submitted to Wiltshire Council.

Selwood Housing Group employs more than 300 people and its ambition is to deliver 1,000 more affordable homes by 2026, to help tackle the housing crisis.

As a charity, Selwood Housing Group's surplus is reinvested into new homes, existing properties and into local communities.

To comment on the plans by Sunday, May 9, go to https://www.selwoodhousing.com/thejohnbull. There will then be a further consultation as part of the planning application process.