Planning decisions made by Wiltshire Council recently

Lydeway: Outline plans to build six houses in Lydeway have been rejected by Wiltshire Council.

The plan by Planning Base Ltd, which included two affordable “starter” houses, was refused due to the proposed location on land south of Bell House.

The local authority said the bid’s sitting outside of an existing settlement in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and its distance from employment and other amenities – heavily factored into the decision.

“The development of six new dwellings with associated parking and turning areas and other associated domestic paraphernalia located within the sensitive landscape of the North Wessex Downs AONB in this location would have a serious negative visual impact on the rural character of this protected landscape,” planning officers wrote.

“The proposal, through its tight form and layout, would consolidate the existing loose knit character within this location and would have an adverse impact on the rural character of the area and would be at odds with the general layout of the existing housing stock.”

Officers added that there was not enough information on flood risk mitigation and on heritage assets.

Warminster: Planning permission has been refused to works already undertaken on Grade II listed building.

The bid was submitted by Mr and Mrs Fitchett of Dry Hill House, Crockerton who had already placed the upper windows of the shopfront at 3 Market Place, Warminster.

And in applying for retrospective planning permission, the couple’s bid has been rejected due to the harm caused by the works.

Wiltshire Council planning officers said: “The removal of the historic timber box sash windows and their replacement with PVCu windows of a different design, is considered to harm the special interest of the listed building.”

The plans also included plans to replace the current shopfront.

Lydiard Millicent: A Swindon man has seen his plans to build three houses denied.

Wiltshire Council knocked back a bid by Mr Pomphrey of 22 Sapphire Road to build three houses with two garages.

Planning officers said that because the bid is in open countryside, and not allocated for development, the proposed builds would go against the council’s planning policies.

“The proposal would harm the significance and setting of the heritage asset, namely the Lydiard Green Conservation Area, due to the over-intensive, dense form development and erosion of the open spaces,” officers continued.

“In addition, the proposals would intensify development set well back from the road-side, deviating from the historic evolution of building pattern and placement and further failing to respect the character and appearance of the conservation area or better reveal or enhance their significance.

“There is a lack of clarity and information provided in relation to the impact upon trees arising from the proposed development as well as a lack of information in relation to the mitigation proposed to ensure retained trees are protected appropriately. In the absence of this information it has not been possible to fully assess the development proposal."

It was also noted that the houses, due to their size and layout would result in cramped development.

Potterne: Retrospective changes to the size of a house near Devizes have been greenlit.

Nigel Grist submitted the bid to build a house at North Lower Park Farm, Potterne.

The plans had already been approved earlier in the year but it was noted by planning officers that the two-story house was built “slightly larger and different in design than approved”.

Southwick: Hope Nature Centre in Southwick has been given planning permission for an Alternative Provision (AP) unit to provide teaching accommodation for pupils aged between 11 and 18-years-old with special educational needs.

The actual site of the proposal is located adjacent to a series of chicken coops and a workshop which will be demolished with their relocation to be submitted as part of a separate future planning application.

Officers added that should the building be used for anything else in the future it would need to be through another planning bid.