An old chapel in a small Wiltshire village is set to become a holiday let after Wiltshire Council has approved its conversion.
Located approximately 8 miles outside Chippenham, Nettleton’s Baptist Chapel has a burial ground which will be kept separate from the plans.
The application described the building as a Baptist Church and noted that the “very modest scale” of proposed changes will ensure that the converted building has “a neutral impact on the prevailing character” of the chapel.
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It also said that, as part of the separation with the burial area, a low picket fence will be erected and will include a sign stating: “Nettleton Chapel Graveyard - For those visiting the graves only and not for recreational use.”
Wiltshire Council received no objections to the plans and concluded that the proposed changes were “relatively modest and in keeping with the existing building”.
The case officer report added: “The arrangement of solar panels will appear fairly prominent and in contrast to the traditional character of the chapel building however there is public benefit through helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and this is considered to justify the visual effects in this case.”
Also approved this week was the conversion of The Old Dairy Parlour at Bradfield Manor Farm into eight commercial retail units.
Bradfield Manor Farm is located north of the village of Hullavington and is home to the Flying Monk Brewery.
According to the application, the commercial units will be used by “small, artisanal, local, independent businesses that would accompany and enhance the current site activity on this part of Bradfield Manor Farm as a microbrewery and café/tap room”.
Wiltshire Council received 27 responses from the general public, 15 in objection to the application and 12 in support.
Those objecting raised concerns such as a “fundamental change of character” of the site and the “urbanisation of the rural environment”.
The application argued that the existing barn has become “increasingly redundant in its current agricultural usage, demonstrating an inefficient use of the client’s property”.
It also noted that its conversion would serve the Hullavington community and the wider area.
The case officer concluded that the physical development of the site would be “very limited” and would have “no tangible effect on the built form” but would “lead to an improvement in the visual amenities of the site”.
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In other planning news, Network Rail has informed Wiltshire Council of the need for “urgent repair” of the Swallett Farm Bridge near Dauntsey.
The plans note that recent inspections have found the structure needs work “to ensure that the bridge remains safe and able to carry travelling trains”.
It is described as “a standard Brunel overbridge, with three semi elliptical spans” and it is estimated to have been built between 1839 and 1841, but subsequently almost entirely refaced in engineering brick, probably by the GWR.
The application state: “The core of the proposed works consists of underpinning using ‘Heli Piles’ sunk to a provisional depth of 6m below ground level.
“The loads from the abutment will be transfer to the piles using 8mm diameter ‘Bar Flex’ wires installed horizontally into the abutment masonry and foundations.
“These wires and the top of the piles will be cast into concrete.
“Piles will be installed at 0.75m lateral spacings.”
Wiltshire Council has given the go-ahead for the repair work.
The details of all planning applications submitted to Wiltshire Council can be found on the planning and building control public register.
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