The Western Area Planning Committee are scheduled to meet to discuss planning appeals and updates, and to consider planning applications relating to a dog exercise field in Hilperton, and a change of use of land and proposed annexe in Crockerton.

Planning Applications

Willowcroft, 49 Potters Hill, Crockerton, Warminster, BA12 8AD

The committee will be considering planning application PL/2024/11089 for a change of use of paddock to residential curtilage and a proposed single storey annexe to replace an existing outbuilding to provide ancillary accommodation at Willowcroft, 49 Potters Hill, Crockerton, Warminster, BA12 8AD.

The planning application has been called into committee at the request of Councillor Christopher Newbury, and also at the request of Longbridge Deverill Parish Council, if the planning officer recommends approval. The concerns of Longbridge Deverill Parish Council include that:

• The site is distant from the main residence so is for all practical purposes a separate dwelling and not an annexe.
• The site is outside the development limits.
• The development adversely affects bats and the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape International Dark Skies Reserve.
• There is a flood risk from the Shearwater reservoir.
• There is not enough information on foul water disposal and impact on flora and fauna for the application to be permitted.

The planning officer's report, PL-2024-11089 WAPC DEC Report FINAL, notes that the application site is located within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape, which is also designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve. The site is also within the 6.4km zone of influence of the Salisbury Plain Special Protection Area (SPA) and the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The proposal is for the change of use of a circa 15x15m section of open countryside to bring the outbuilding into the residential curtilage of Willowcroft. The proposal also involves the demolition of the outbuilding and the erection a replacement single storey building to be used as an annexe to the main dwelling. The existing outbuilding measures approximately 12.6m x 8.4m, with the proposed annex footprint being circa 13.6m x 9.1m. The annex would also be built on 'stilts' to raise the building off the ground, with timber cladding under a corrugated metal roof.

The paddock, containing the alpaca, is not part of the change of use application and would remain as a paddock/open countryside.

The report notes that the application was first received as a householder application and included a proposal to create a new driveway serving the annex onto Broadmead Lane to the west (upgrading the field access permitted under application 19/00233/FUL into a residential access). Following officer negotiations, the initially proposed driveway was removed from the application, and the applicants changed the application to a full planning application to include the proposed change of use of paddock land in the description.

Revised plans have been received which removed the high-level glazing in the annexe and introduced fixed Brise Soleil's¹ to the south elevation bedroom window and west side elevation living room window. Sliding Brise Soleil's are proposed on southern living room windows.

The planning officer's report notes that Longbridge Deverill Parish Council objects for the following reasons:

The application seeks to replace what is an existing animal shelter which has been in use for at least 20 years with a new Annexe situated in an existing rural, remote and secluded woodland valley setting which we would assume is outside the village building line... This setting, which borders the tree line and stream running through the Crockerton valley, has Little Hill / Potters Hill to the north, Broadmead Lane to the west and Clay Street to the south. A new residential property in this location will cause excessive noise and light pollution possibly effecting our International Dark skies accreditation, disruption to existing wildlife... Most importantly there are no other houses located in this immediate valley location bordering the unique stream running from Shearwater and its woodland setting. Accordingly, we believe approval of this application would adversely set a precedent. Also the recent application to undertake emergency work on the Shear Water reservoir by Longleat and the Environmental Agency evidences an increased flood risk due to the proposed location of this building... We are aware of the importance the Council attaches to preservation of the rural setting, dark skies and also to the preservation of chalk rivers to which this particular stream flows. There is little mention of storage and removal of foul waste which given the proximity to the clear stream is a major concern... Given the location of the proposed site, it is very difficult to see how construction could occur without risking damage to existing trees and the woodland landscape around the site... Whilst noted as an annexe to Willowcroft, the proposal is clearly a self-contained residence. It is also located a significant distance (circa 150 m) from, and at a significantly lower level than Willowcroft... We understand that on the applicant's pre-enquiry ENQ/2024/00498 the officer's recommendation was to not support a new dwelling. Whilst not privy to that enquiry even though we requested sight of the document, we do not see why this application for an Annexe is materially different in approach or outcome.

The Wiltshire Council Tree Officer has no objection subject to a planning condition. The Wiltshire Council Ecologist has no objection subject to planning conditions, and has confirmed that the application is not likely to have significant impacts on the SAC and the application has been screened out of requiring an Appropriate Assessment[^3]. The Wiltshire Council Highways Officer has no objection. The Wiltshire Council Drainage Officer has no objection subject to a planning condition. The Cranborne Chase National Landscape Officer has no objection subject to conditions.

The planning officer's report concludes that the application is considered to comply with adopted local policy and the NPPF and is recommended for approval subject to a series of planning conditions.

Four Acres Dog Field, Whaddon Lane, Hilperton, Trowbridge, BA14 7RN

The committee will also be considering planning application PL/2025/06136 for the variation of condition 4 of PL/2023/05787 to amend the opening hours of the private hire dog field at Four Acres Dog Field, Whaddon Lane, Hilperton, Trowbridge, BA14 7RN.

The planning application has been called in by Councillor Ernie Clark for the Western Area Planning Committee to determine with the following reasons provided: environmental/highway impacts.

Condition 4 of the consented implemented scheme states:

The use hereby permitted shall be restricted to dog exercise and training purposes only taking place 07:00 and 19:00 on Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays. REASON: To ensure the creation/retention of an environment free from intrusive levels of noise and activity in the interests of the amenity of the area.

The application being reported to Committee originally sought to vary the hours of operation as 06:00 to 20:00. However, following the initial consultation exercise which resulted in objections and the call-in request, the applicant revised the proposal to seek only one additional hour at the end of the day.

The revised proposal seeks to vary condition 4 to allow the site to be used between the hours of 07:00 and 20:00 each day.

The rest of the conditions would remain in force, including condition 5 which prevents any external lighting installation at the site. The applicant has also confirmed there is no electrical power connection at the site in any case. No other changes to the site are proposed in terms of access and site management.

The planning officer's report, Dec WAPC Report PL202506136 - FINAL, notes that Hilperton Parish Council has objected to the planning application unless the extended hours are restricted to the summer months of May through to September.

The Wiltshire Council Public Protection Officer has no objections and confirmed there have been no received noise complaints related to the current management of the dog walking fields .

Wiltshire Council Highways has no objection, stating that the site is capped at 1 user per slot (hour) and therefore the potential 1 additional vehicle per day would not be considered harmful.

The planning officer's report concludes that there are no policy or technical reasons to justify a refusal of planning permission for this proposal, and that the application should be supported subject to conditions.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee will receive details of completed and pending appeals and other updates as appropriate. The Appeals Report lists planning appeals received between 26 September 2025 and 5 December 2025, and planning appeals decided between those dates.

Appeals Received

The planning appeals received between 26 September 2025 and 5 December 2025 are:

• PL/2023/05883 - Land to the rear of 52e, Chapel Lane, Beanacre, Melksham, Wilts, SN12 7PX - Erection of three dwellings, with access, parking, and associated works including landscaping (Outline application with all matters reserved - Resubmission of PL/2022/06389)
• PL/2024/06092 - 11 Cavell Court, Trowbridge, BA14 0HH - Erection of Single Storey Side Extension and Balcony including Garage Clock Tower (Part Retrospective).
• PL/2024/10674 - Land off Woodrow Road, Woodrow Road, Melksham, SN12 7AY - Outline application with all matters reserved except for access for the development of up to 70 dwellings, open space, ecological enhancements, play space, associated infrastructure (including drainage structures and works to the public highway), access, parking, servicing and landscaping.
• PL/2025/03210 - Land at Lane End, Corsley, Warminster, BA12 7PF - Permission in Principle for phased development of up to 2 self-build dwellings
• PL/2025/03406 - 99/100 Church Terrace, Heytesbury, Warminster, BA12 0EQ - Demolition of Conservatory and Garage and Construction of Single and Double Storey Extensions with a Double Garage and Studio
• PL/2025/04448 - Land at Five Farthings, The Hollow, Dilton Marsh, Westbury, BA13 4BU - Erection of up to 9No dwellings.
• PL/2025/05097 - 1 Philip Close, Melksham, SN12 7AP - Proposed 1 Bedroom Dwelling Adjacent No 1 Philip Close and Detached Garage to 1 Philip Close
• PL/2025/05209 - Pavement o/s Boots, 32-33 Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8FZ - The installation of 1no. BT Street Hub and removal of associated BT payphones
• PL/2025/05295 - Pavement o/s Boots, 32-33 Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8FZ - The installation of 1no. BT Street Hub and removal of associated BT payphones
• PL/2025/06003 - The Old Church, Hill Deverill, Warminster, BA12 7EF - Installation of 12 panel Domestic solar pv array to the south facing roof slopes of the property
• PL/2025/06183 - The Old Church, Hill Deverill, Warminster, BA12 7EF - Installation of 12 panel Domestic solar pv array to the south facing roof slopes of the property

Appeals Decided

The planning appeals decided between 26 September 2025 and 5 December 2025 are:

• PL/2024/09371 - Land off Ashton Road, Hilperton, BA14 7QY - Erection of 1No dwelling and detached garage - Appeal Dismissed
  • The Appeal Decision, Appellant Costs Decision and Council Costs Decision document contains the decision, made on 24 November 2025, to dismiss the appeal. It also contains the decision to refuse applications for costs made by both the appellants and Wiltshire Council.
  • The inspector, R Kent, found that the main issues were:
    • The effect of the development on the character and appearance of the site and its surroundings with particular regard to the separate identity of Hilperton village.
    • The effect of the proposed development on the significance of the Hilperton Conservation Area as a designated heritage asset through development within its setting.
    • The effect of the proposal on the significance of The Grange as a non-designated heritage asset through development within its setting.
    • The effect of the development on the living conditions of the occupiers of the dwelling known as 'Cockhatch' with particular reference to sunlight, daylight and outlook.
  • The inspector found that the proposal would cause substantial harm to the character and appearance of the site, its surroundings and the separate identity of Hilperton, and that it would conflict with Wiltshire Core Strategy 2015 (WCS) Core policies 1, 2, 51 and 57.
  • The inspector also found that the proposal would have a harmful effect on the significance of the Hilperton Conservation Area as a designated heritage asset through development within its setting, and that it would conflict with WCS Core policy 58 and the Framework's policies to conserve and enhance the historic environment.
  • The inspector also found that the proposal would harm the significance of The Grange as a NDHA as a result of development within its setting, and that this would conflict with WCS Core policy 58 and the policies in the Framework to conserve and enhance the historic environment.
  • The inspector found that the proposal would not harm the living conditions of the occupiers of the dwelling known as 'Cockhatch' with particular reference to sunlight, daylight and outlook, and that it would comply with WCS Core policy 57.
• PL/2024/09664 - Land Adjoining Hilperton Drive And, Ashton Road, Hilperton, BA14 7WQ - Creation of new drop kerb and access drive - Appeal Dismissed
  • The Appeal decision document contains the decision, made on 19 November 2025, to dismiss the appeal.
  • The inspector, SE Hughes, found that the main issue was the effect of the proposal on highway safety.
  • The inspector found that the proposal would result in the provision of a new access off the A361 and Ashton Road roundabout at Hilperton, and that the proposed access road would join the roundabout at an acute angle.
  • The inspector also found that outgoing vehicles turning left from the appeal site would need to manoeuvre excessively to join the roundabout, and that the geometry and design of the access would be unacceptable, resulting in an arrangement which would be hazardous to all users of the road.
  • The inspector concluded that the proposed development would have an unacceptable and detrimental impact on highway safety, and that the proposal conflicts with Policies CP57, CP60 and CP61 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
• PL/2025/00463 - New Cottages, Tytherington, Wiltshire, BA12 7AE - Proposed garaging and garden store - Appeal Allowed with Conditions
  • The Appeal decision document contains the decision, made on 21 November 2025, to allow the appeal with conditions.
  • The inspector, E Pickernell, found that the main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area with particular regard to the setting of Ashbys, Coach House at Ashbys, Dovecote at Ashbys and Granary and Stable at Ashbys which are Grade II listed buildings, the Tytherington Conservation Area, and the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape NL).
  • The inspector concluded that the proposed development would not result in a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area with particular regard to the setting of the listed buildings, the Tytherington CA, and the Cranbourne Chase NL, and that the proposal would accord with Core Policies 51, 57 and 58 of the WCS.
• PL/2025/02126 - Manor Farm, Westbury Road, North Bradley, Trowbridge, BA14 0TW - Prior approval under Part 3 Class Q for the conversion of an agricultural building into a dwelling - Appeal Allowed with Conditions
  • The Appeal Decision document contains the decision, made on 30 October 2025, to allow the appeal with conditions.
  • The inspector, E Pickernell, found that the main issue is whether the location and siting of the building make it impractical or undesirable for the building to change to a dwellinghouse, in terms of its effect on the living conditions of future occupiers of the proposed dwellinghouse, with particular regard to noise and disturbance.
  • The inspector concluded that the location and siting of the building would not make it impractical or undesirable for the building to change to a dwellinghouse, in terms of its effect on the living conditions of future occupiers of the proposed dwellinghouse, with particular regard to noise and disturbance.