The Eastern Area Planning Committee scheduled a meeting to address planning appeals, updates, and consider planning applications, including one for The Wheatsheaf Inn in Chilton Foliat. The meeting also included opportunities for public participation.

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

Planning Application: The Wheatsheaf Inn, Chilton Foliat

The committee was scheduled to review applications PL/2024/003348 and PL/2024/03701 concerning The Wheatsheaf Inn, a Grade II listed building in Chilton Foliat. The Wheatsheaf (CF) Ltd sought permission for:

• A restaurant extension to the rear
• Internal alterations, including a new kitchen servery hatch and rear door
• Cellar access construction
• A new bay window on the front elevation
• Raising ceilings in the first-floor bedrooms
• Erection of a fence and gates for the bin store
• A revised parking layout, including a space at the front

The planning officer's report recommended refusal of both the planning permission and listed building consent.

Issues and Objections

Several issues and objections were raised regarding the application:

• Highway Safety/Parking: The Wiltshire Council Highways Officer initially objected to the plans, citing inadequate on-site parking and potential detriment to highway safety. While amended plans addressed some concerns, the officer ultimately maintained an objection, stating that the additional changes, coupled with existing permissions for residential accommodation, meant that the site was unable to provide an adequate and appropriate level of off street parking. The Highways Officer commented:

  The additional changes coupled with the extant permission for residential accommodation meansthat the site is unableto providean adequate and appropriate level of off street parking. Thelack of adequate parking will displacevehiclesonto the highway leadingto the risk of a negative impacton the safety and amenityof users of the highway and contrary to CP 60 and CP 61.

  A Transport Technical Note was submitted by Tetra Tech, commissioned by Artisan Innkeepers Ltd, arguing that the parking provision would be adequate and that the proposals complied with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The Highways Officer responded to the technical note, stating that they were willing to accept older parking standards, but were not minded to accept a proposed discount, and maintained their objection. The technical note responded to the Highways Officer's comments, describing them as contradictory and flawed, and stating that there was no requirement within the NPPF for any development to be able to accommodate its associated parking within its own control, nor is there a principle that any displaced parking, in its own right, is a reason for refusal.

• Impact on Heritage Assets: The council's Conservation Officer strongly objected, citing the loss of historic features and the principle of further extension. They believed the proposals would harm the significance of the listed building and fail to preserve or enhance its special interest. The Conservation Officer commented:

  Overall there isa strong objectionto the proposals,in particularthe the lossof historic features within the building and the principle of further extension. The proposals are consideredto causeharm to the significanceof the designatedheritageasset, thereby failing to preserve or enhance its special interest as a nationally important listed building.There are no publicbenefits that would otherwise outweigh the harm caused by the proposals. The proposals therefore fail to comply with the NPPF (paragraphs 206, 207 & 208) and WiltshireCouncil core policies57 and 58.

  A Heritage Addendum and Photomontage were submitted, but the Conservation Officer maintained their objection.

• Public Representations: Numerous objections were received from the public, citing concerns about highway safety, parking, the impact on the village's character, and the potential for increased noise and disturbance. Some representations supported the proposals, emphasising the potential benefits to the community and the pub's viability.

• Land Ownership: It was noted that some parking spaces were on land not owned by the applicant, requiring an agreement with the Parish Council.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on completed and pending planning appeals. The Appeals Report included details of appeals received between 14 March 2025, and 4 April 2025, including an appeal against the refusal of a change of use application for the Red Lion, Axford, and decisions made on appeals during the same period, including an appeal against the refusal of an application for land south of Ballingers, Urchfont, which was allowed with conditions.

Other Business

The agenda https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/documents/g15636/Agenda+frontsheet+Thursday+17-Apr-2025+15.00+Eastern+Area+Planning+Committee.pdf?T=0 also included standard items such as:

• Apologies for absence
• Approval of minutes from the previous meeting on 27 March 2025¹
• Declarations of interest
• Chairman's announcements
• Public participation - statements and questions