Decision

To approve additional work required from Ethos for the Fives Court project to cover additional work to respond to comments received through the consultation on the planning application

Reasons for the decision

A full planning application for the proposed development of Copenacre was submitted on 31 March 2025, during the consultation period over 30 objections were raised by members of the public. The project team met with the local Ward Member to discuss potential changes that might make the proposals more acceptable.

This has involved some changes to block B including the removal of at least one apartment on the 2nd floor, changes to the balcony structures, moving the footpath and the introduction of more trees at the boundary with Albion crescent to soften the impact of the building. Revised plans were submitted in November 2025 and further objections have been received from members of the public on the estate surrounding the potential development. We have had further meetings with the local Ward member who requested that we invite questions from these households and prepare answers and present these at a public meeting.

Following the meeting further work was undertaken by the architect and landscape architect to amend the landscape plan, and as a result the BNG report and calculations need to be redone.

This record of Officer Decision is to request authorisation for a commitment of up to a further [redacted] see attachment. This sum is included within the Ecologists capital budget for the project.

See attached document for considerations in line with the Wiltshire Council constitution.

Alternative options considered

None. These works are considered essential following the public meeting which was requested by the Ward Member and reduces the planning risk of an unsupportive report from the planning officer to the Southern Area Planning Committee who will make the decision on this application in due course.