A FORMER petrol depot in Salisbury, named last month as one of the six worst examples of wasted space in Britain, can now be developed with new homes.
A planning inspector has overruled a decision by Salisbury district council to refuse planning permission for 11 flats and houses on the former BP depot, in Waterloo Road.
Martin Andrews, of the planning inspectorate, has allowed an appeal by T A B Design and granted permission for the new homes, providing the design and materials used are approved by the council.
Last month the former depot, which has been derelict for more than a decade, was nominated by local residents in a campaign by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and BBC's Radio 4.
Residents' spokesman Gavin Paye nominated the site because residents were fed-up with living near an eyesore.
Both the residents and the council are happy for the site to be used for housing.
However, residents have campaigned for any development to fit in with the area and not be overbearing.
Mr Andrews said that, in reaching his decision, he had noted the strength of feeling of local people and had carefully considered the points raised by them and by the council.
However, he said he disagreed with the "main thrust of the argument" that the appeal scheme would be an "overdevelopment" and would cause overlooking and overshadowing.
He said the proposed layout, with dwellings fronting and close to Waterloo Road, was in keeping with the character of the older parts of the surrounding area.
The inspector said he required on-site parking, the construction of a new footpath and laybys in Waterloo Road and privacy to be provided by screen walls and fences.
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