Permission has now been officially granted for the former Trowbridge Lounge Café Bar on Roundstone Street to house Lockwood’s Pharmacy.

The pharmacy opened in the new location on July 1 and Wiltshire Council has now given the all-clear on this usage of the listed building.

Lounge Café Bar closed in August 2022 and the building remained vacant over the next two years, with rough sleepers regularly using it as a shelter.

Lockwood’s Pharmacy was previously located at the Roundstone Surgery where it had taken over from Boots.

According to the application sent to Wiltshire Council, Lockwood’s had been faced with a “substantial rise in lease costs” which required seeking new operating premises.

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The vacant building was often used as a shelter.The vacant building was often used as a shelter. (Image: Newsquest)

It states: “Our client was faced with a short timeframe to find new premises, have the proposed change of operating address approved by the NHS, complete lease negotiations and re-open on time to ensure the required continuity of pharmacy services.”

A Lockwood’s pharmacist confirmed the 33 Roundstone Street reopening on July 1 was a success and described the relocation as a “positive move” that was contributing to the regeneration of the area.

She said: “We’ve had wonderful feedback.”

Wiltshire Council gave notice of its approval on Tuesday, October 8.

Also approved this week were the details of nine new homes on land off Bradley Road in Warminster.

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The site is described as unviable for continued independent agricultural use.The site is described as unviable for continued independent agricultural use. (Image: Keysley Limited) Outline planning permission for the project was granted in June 2023, and applicants Keysley Limited provided the council with detailed plans in March this year.

The site is located on the southern outskirts of Warminster and the construction of the A36 bypass in the eighties cut it off from the rest of an agricultural holding.

The application said: “The proposed new development comprises eight three-bedroom dwellings with linked single storey garages and one detached four-bedroom dwelling with a single storey garage.

“The houses have been carefully designed to create contemporary, open plan living spaces, filled with natural light and using modern energy efficient, good quality natural materials and technology.”

It adds that the linked garages will provide “practical screening” between dwellings and help to minimise road noise from the bypass.

The applicants carried out a consultation through leaflets to nearby properties, Warminster Town Council and Wiltshire councillors but reported receiving no response.

Wiltshire Council approved the application on Wednesday, October 9.

In other planning news, a proposal has been resubmitted for nine new homes on brownfield land at the Barters Farm Nurseries and Plant Centre site in Chapmanslade.

The applicants are proposing zero carbon homes.The applicants are proposing zero carbon homes. (Image: Newland Homes) The project was refused in April but the applicants have requested the council reconsider the plans due to the new government’s “renewed emphasis” on house building.

The new application reads: “Existing residential development surrounds the site to the south and west with Barters Farm Nursery and Garden Centre to the east and provides a sensible rounding off to the village extents.

“The proposals are for nine two, three and four-bedroom houses consisting of bungalows, chalet bungalows and detached homes with garaging to provide a varied mix of housing.

“Access to the site is taken from Cleyhill Gardens off Barters Drive and provides generous off road and visitor parking provision.

“Houses have been designed to complement the design and materials of the surrounding properties and wider village.”

According to the applicant, the site’s development would facilitate re-investment into the Barters Farm Garden nurseries, it being “a well-established and valued local business, which can continue to operate effectively from a reduced holding following disposal of the application site for redevelopment”.

Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision by Wednesday, December 4.