The Northern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council met to discuss planning appeals and a planning application for a self-build home. The committee noted the planning appeals and updates, and approved the planning application for a self-build home subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

Planning Application: Land South of B4042, Long Goss, Little Somerford, Chippenham

The committee approved an outline application for a self-build home on land south of the B4042 in Little Somerford, subject to the completion of a Unilateral Undertaking (UU) to secure the self-build and subject to several conditions. The application, submitted by Tetlow King Planning on behalf of Edward Greening, sought outline planning permission with all matters reserved except for means of access.

The application was called to the committee by Councillor Elizabeth Threlfall due to concerns about:

• Visual impact on the surrounding area
• Relationship to adjoining properties
• Environmental and highway impact
• Conflict with planning rules and the local plan, including Core Policies 1, 2, 46, 51, 57, 60 and 61 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

The planning officer's report recommended approval, noting that while the site is in the open countryside, where new housing is generally restricted by Core Policies 1, 2 and 13 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy, the council's lack of a five-year housing land supply¹ is a material consideration. The report stated that the council can only demonstrate a 2.42 years housing land supply, and therefore the policies which are most important for determining the application should be considered 'out-of-date'.

The report also noted that the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 places a duty on local authorities to keep a register of individuals seeking land for self-build projects and to grant planning permission to meet the demand for this type of housing. The council has a significant undersupply of self-build plots.

The committee considered the impact on the landscape, character and layout of the area, and the potential impact on neighbouring amenities. The committee also considered biodiversity net gain and ecology, drainage, and highways and sustainability.

The Little Somerford Parish Council and Lea, Garsdon & Cleverton Parish Council both objected to the application. Concerns were raised regarding the site's location outside of settlement areas, the impact on the character of the countryside, and the effect on existing hedgerows.

There were 59 representations from members of the public, with 48 objections, 10 in support, and 1 comment. Objectors raised concerns about the erosion of the open countryside, the lack of amenities, increased traffic, and the impact on protected species. Supporters noted the need for housing, the suitability of the site for the applicant's needs, and the potential for a better visual impact than the existing unauthorised development on the site.

The committee concluded that the benefits of the proposal, including contributing to the council's housing land supply and self-build demand, outweighed the harms. The committee agreed with the planning officer's recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to a legal agreement to ensure the dwelling is delivered as a self-build unit and a number of conditions.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee noted the planning appeals and updates. Members raised concerns about developers submitting planning applications and then not commencing construction, a practice known as land banking. They also expressed concern that developers may be delaying construction to make other controversial applications more likely to win on appeal due to a reduced housing land supply figure. The committee also voiced concerns about a recent planning inspector decision to uphold an appeal based on the 5 year housing land supply figure.