Current Projects
Projects for the 2026-2027 financial year
In our Strategic Plan, we set out to achieve a number of ambitious projects during this financial year, These include:
Renovation of the Town Centre Public Toilets
The Town Centre Public Toilets renovation is one of Wilton Town Council’s key 2026 priorities. The project will modernise and replace the ageing facilities to ensure the town centre has reliable, safe, accessible and hygienic public conveniences that meet the needs of residents, visitors and local businesses. This investment supports Wilton’s strategic goals of improving civic infrastructure, enhancing visitor experience, and reinforcing pride in the town centre.
Project Status:
- Local washroom specialists, Wallgate, and Healthmatic, a public building design firm, have been appointed as lead contractors.
- Final draft layouts and the Healthmatic Scope of Works were approved by Full Council in April 2026.
- Tenders invited for construction contractor in early June 2026.
- In July 2026, Council resolved on the external design option and approved progression to submission of the planning application
- Graphic Designer approved to finalise logo for “Visit Wilton” signage
- Construction contractor approved by Full Council in August 2026
Next Steps:
- Awaiting outcome of planning application for the proposed works
Project Leads: Cllr Blackman & Cllr Blandford-Hull
Supported by: Town Clerk
Public Toilet Refurbishment Project Group Meetings
Castle Meadow Car Park Improvements
The Pavilion Compound and Car Park improvement project is a key part of Wilton Town Council’s infrastructure and resilience programme for 2026. Phase 1 will deliver practical upgrades to the shared storage compound at The Pavilion, including levelling the compound area, improving the layout and usability of the storage space, and enhancing the surfacing to create a more stable, functional area for day-to-day use.
As part of Phase 1, the Council will introduce two new storage containers and reconfigure the two existing containers, supporting the groups that use the compound — including Wilton Carnival, Wilton Men’s Shed and the Town’s Flood Wardens, alongside Pavilion operations.
This first phase is designed to provide immediate improvements to the organisation, access and durability within the compound area, creating a more workable space as community and event use continues to grow.
A second phase is planned for future consideration and would focus on the car park itself, including resurfacing, accessibility improvements and lighting, subject to detailed design development and formal Council approval.
Project Status:
- Tender invitation published April 2026.
- Contractor appointed by Full Council in June 2026
- Detailed design approved by Full Council in September 2026
Next Step:
- Awaiting final Flood Risk Assessment report
- Work up technical detail of the approved layout with any amendments required from the Flood Risk Assessment
Project Leads: Cllr Blandford-Hull, Cllr La Femina & Cllr Forbes
Supported by: Town Clerk & Facilities Officer
Castle Meadow Compound & Car Park Project Group Meetings
Town Centre Christmas Lights Scheme
The Town Centre Christmas Lights are a valued seasonal asset for Wilton, drawing residents, visitors and shoppers into the Market Square and contributing significantly to the character and vibrancy of the town during the winter period. To maintain a reliable, safe and visually attractive display, Wilton Town Council are undertaking a comprehensive review and upgrade programme in 2026, focusing on safety compliance, performance, and cost-efficiency.
A key component of this year’s work is determining the most sustainable model for delivering the display in future years, hire or purchase and ensuring the Council partners with a reputable, specialist lighting supplier with proven capability in high-quality, low-energy, innovative festive lighting installations.
Project Status:
- To support plans for new lighting, an arboricultural report was received by the Council on the trees in Old St Mary’s Churchyard in March 2026.
- We have met with a number of suppliers, and invited them to submit plans for a new Christmas lighting scheme to be reviewed by the Council.
- Supplier appointed by Full Council in June 2026
- Full Council approved a professional event organiser in June 2026
- Permissions sought from Wiltshire Council for the proposed lighting scheme around the Market Square
- Detailed design for Christmas Lighting plans finalised following feedback from Wiltshire Council in August 2026
- Road and car park closure applications submitted in August 2026
Next Step:
- Ongoing discussions regarding the planning of the Christmas event for 21st November 2026, including inviting community group involvement
Project Leads: Cllr Ditton & Cllr Edge
Supported by: Town Clerk & Communications Officer
Christmas Lights Project Group Meetings
Emergency Contact Hub
An Emergency Contact Hub is a community’s place to go and help one another in an emergency. They are organised around whatever the community wants them to be, but primarily they are designed so that community members can help themselves but also have a linkage into the emergency services and other responding agencies in the local area.
In an emergency the responding agencies will be heavily stretched, where they must prioritise urgent calls. Many of the minor issues can actually be resolved by the community themselves, often with just a little organisation or information required. An Emergency Contact Hub is designed to build on and enhance what is already in place in the community. It is not designed, nor does it intend to remove, any levels of responsibility that already exist that support our town
Project Status:
- Project group formation approved by Full Council in September 2026
Next Step:
- Approach the community to invite volunteers
- Identify suitable location
Project Leads: Cllr Ditton & Cllr Forbes
Supported by: Communications Officer
20mph Zones
Following the completion of the 20mph feasibility study in April 2025, the Council are now progressing the next steps toward delivering a reduced speed limit in and around the town centre, working with Wiltshire Council as the highway authority to secure a formal decision on implementing a wider 20mph zone that covers key pedestrian-focused areas and supports safer movement throughout the town.
This next phase will involve reviewing the feasibility findings in detail, preparing the required supporting information for Wiltshire Council, and ensuring that the proposed 2026/2027 implementation can proceed promptly once approval is granted, helping create a calmer, safer and more accessible environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
Project Status:
- Feasibility review ongoing
Next Step:
- Preparation of supporting information required by Wiltshire Council. Date TBC
Project Leads: TBC
Future Projects
Council Offices Refurbishment Project
The Council is reviewing the long-term suitability of its current office accommodation and exploring how to better support accessibility and visibility within the community. In the meantime, minor energy-efficiency and building improvements will be undertaken to reduce operating costs, improve sustainability, and ensure the premises remain fit for purpose. As part of its future planning, the Council will also assess a range of accommodation options, drawing on the recommendations of the HR consultants’ report received in July 2024. This work will help determine the most appropriate and sustainable operational base for the Council in the years ahead.
Project Status:
- Independent Condition Report completed
- Project Group formation approved by Full Council in September 2026
Next Steps:
- Obtain a fee proposals for an exploratory meeting and for developing compliant ground and first-floor reconfiguration options
- Use any architect’s proposed layout and the condition survey to prepare a comparable brief and seek proposals from additional structural engineers with heritage-building experience
- Develop a proposal for appointing a project manager to coordinate the structural, architectural and specialist works and prevent contractor conflicts
Project Leads: Cllr Blandford-Hull, Cllr Boyd, Cllr Edge, Cllr Matthews
Supported by: Town Clerk & Communications Officer