The Northern Area Planning Committee were scheduled to meet on 16 April 2025 to discuss planning appeals, and consider planning applications for a site in Lydiard Millicent. The committee was expected to review an application for the erection of nine dwellings on an undeveloped site, and another for alterations to the external appearance of a building at Lydiard House Farm.

Here's a breakdown of the key items from the agenda:

Planning Application: Land adjoining 39a Stone Lane, Lydiard Millicent

The committee was scheduled to discuss a full planning application for the Development of site to provide 9 no. dwellings, with associated landscaping, sustainable drainage and primary vehicular access from Stone Lane. The application, submitted by Hill Homes Developments Ltd, concerns a roughly rectangular field located near Washpool, within the parish of Lydiard Millicent.

The proposal includes:

• Erection of nine dwellings, predominantly two-storey detached houses, with one semi-detached pairing.
• A new access point from Stone Lane.
• Garages for each dwelling.
• A small area of open space on the eastern side.
• A mix of 3-bed and 4-bed private market houses.
• Reconstituted stone walls, grey roof tiles, stone cills, and stone or brick window heads.
• Air source heat pumps and solar panels.
• Hard and soft landscaping proposals.
• Off-site installation of a footway on the corner of Common Platt.
• A new 'gateway feature' to manage vehicle speed.

Lydiard Millicent Parish Council objected to the application, raising concerns including:

• Inaccuracies within the application plans, particularly regarding the driveway opposite the proposed access and the width of the planned footpath.
• Contravention of the Lydiard Millicent Neighbourhood Plan, specifically policy LM1 regarding infill locations and the character of the area.
• Concerns regarding flooding, given existing drainage issues in Common Platt.
• Highway and safety issues, including concerns about the width of Stone Lane and the safety of the proposed footpath, as well as the speed and volume of traffic.
• Negative impact on neighbouring houses, including privacy concerns due to headlights and potential flooding.
• Environmental impact, with a request for a bat survey.

Despite these objections, the Highway Officer did not object to the proposal, subject to amended footway provisions, visibility splays, and a gateway feature.

The Housing Enabling Team noted that the proposals are under the Affordable Housing threshold, and therefore there is no requirement for an Affordable Housing contribution.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Officer requested that a footway is installed the length of the site’s boundary on Stone lane in case of future development further west.

The Ecology Officer supported the plan subject to conditions, including the provision of bat and swift boxes, and a financial contribution to deliver mitigation consistent with the North Meadow and Clattinger Farm SAC Interim Recreation Mitigation Strategy.

The Arboricultural Officer requested further information as to how the removal of the small buildings of the site can be effected without harming the nearby trees.

Planning Application: Unit 5, Lydiard House Farm, Lydiard Green, Lydiard Millicent

The committee was also scheduled to discuss an application concerning Unit 5, Lydiard House Farm, for Proposed alterations to the external appearance. The application, submitted by LHFBC Ltd, involves alterations to a barn, including green steel cladding, a roller shutter door, metal personnel doors, and fire escapes, as well as extending hardstanding to the north and surrounding it with a fence.

Lydiard Millicent Parish Council objected to this application, requesting a comprehensive plan for the whole site, and for a transport study to be conducted.

The application was called in to committee to consider the scale of development and the environmental/highway impact.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive details of completed and pending appeals and other updates as appropriate. The appeals report included details of appeals received between 14/03/2025 and 04/04/2025 for Land Off Park Road, Malmesbury, 1 Greenway Avenue, Chippenham, and Land at Tiddleywink, Yatton Keynell. It also included details of appeals decided between 14/03/2025 and 04/04/2025 for 48 Park Lane, Chippenham, The Old Byre, Sevington, Grittleton, Chippenham, and Park View, Calcutt Farmhouse, Calcutt, Swindon.

Other Business

The agenda included standard items such as:

• Apologies for absence.
• Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 26 March 2025.
• Declarations of interest.
• Chairman's announcements.
• Public participation.
• Urgent items.