The Southern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Thursday 16 July 2026 to consider a range of planning applications and appeals. The meeting's agenda included a single planning application for three self-build dwellings on land adjacent to Kiln Close, Whaddon, and an update on planning appeals.

Planning Applications

Land adjacent to Kiln Close, Whaddon, SP5 3HE (Application Number: PL/2025/07978)

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for the excavation of a former railway embankment and the erection of three new self-build dwellings, along with associated landscaping and works. This application had a complex planning history, with previous applications for similar developments on the site being refused and subsequently appealed. The report pack indicated that an appeal against non-determination had been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate, meaning the council could no longer issue a formal decision. However, the committee's resolution would form the council's evidence for the appeal process.

The report detailed several key considerations for this application:

• Principle of Development: The site is located within the settlement boundary of Whaddon, designated as a Large Village in the Wiltshire Core Strategy (WCS), where development is generally favoured.
• Planning History: The site has seen multiple previous applications and appeals, with a recent appeal decision for a similar proposal (PL/2024/05291) being dismissed primarily due to the lack of a legal mechanism to secure the dwellings as self-build. A previous appeal for four dwellings (PL/2023/11012) was refused on grounds of overdevelopment and harm to amenities.
• Self-Build: The proposal was for self-build dwellings, which is seen as a way to diversify the housing market and meet an identified need. A Unilateral Undertaking was completed to secure this aspect.
• Contribution to Public Amenity: Concerns were raised about the loss of the former railway embankment's vegetation, which had provided a buffer and contributed to the area's verdant character. However, recent appeal decisions suggested that the embankment in its current cleared state was not considered a valued landscape feature worthy of preservation.
• Character and Design: The proposed dwellings were described as chalet bungalow style, designed to limit ridge heights and avoid uniformity. Amendments had been made to the layout of Plot 3 due to landownership matters, including a reduction in plot width and the removal of one parking space, which was integrated into the garage. The design was considered to reflect the local vernacular with sufficient room for landscaping.
• Amenity Impacts: The removal of the embankment would necessitate significant spoil removal, raising concerns about land contamination and potential health issues for residents. The Public Protection Team advised that these risks could be mitigated through conditions. The report noted that while there would be changes to outlook and privacy, direct overlooking of neighbouring properties was considered unlikely, and conditions could be imposed to mitigate further impacts.
• Archaeology: The Council's Archaeologist raised no concerns, noting that previous similar applications had also received no archaeological objections.
• Drainage: The Council's Drainage Team raised no objection, subject to a condition requiring a surface water drainage strategy to be submitted before works commence.
• Parking/Highway Safety: The Highways Officer raised no objection, subject to a condition ensuring parking spaces were completed and maintained. Concerns about the narrowness of Kiln Close and potential construction traffic were noted, with a condition for a Construction Management Plan suggested.
• Ecological Impact: The site is within consultation zones for the River Avon SAC, River Test Catchment, and New Forest SPA. The Council's Ecologist raised concerns about potential impacts on protected species and habitats, particularly following the removal of vegetation. However, mitigation measures, including a wildlife corridor management plan and financial contributions for nutrient neutrality and recreational pressure, were proposed and could be secured through planning obligations and conditions. The development was exempt from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements due to its self-build nature.
• Other Matters: Concerns about land stability due to the embankment removal were noted, with a pre-commencement condition suggested to require details of land stability measures. The Council's current housing land supply shortfall meant the tilted balance in favour of sustainable development applied, and the three proposed dwellings would make a limited contribution to this.

The report concluded that the principle of development was acceptable, and with the proposed conditions and legal agreement, the proposal was considered sustainable development. The recommendation was for planning permission to be granted, subject to a legal agreement and conditions.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive details of completed and pending appeals. The report pack included information on several appeal decisions, including:

• Miledown Farm, Angel Lane, Hindon, SP3 6DW: Appeal allowed for the erection of a dwelling to replace an existing residential unit, subject to conditions.
• Poles Farm, Swallowcliffe, SP3 5NX: Appeal allowed for a change of use from agriculture to residential, with the erection of a dwelling and associated works, subject to conditions.
• Barn to the southwest Manor View, Landford Wood, SP5 2ES: Appeal allowed for the conversion of an agricultural building to a residential dwelling under Class Q of the General Permitted Development Order, subject to conditions.
• Stables at Manor Farm House, East Grimstead, SP5 3RT: Appeal dismissed for the erection of a dwelling, with the Inspector citing conflicts with the development plan regarding location and harm to the character and appearance of the area.
• 20 Norman Drive, Old Sarum, SP4 6FP: Appeal allowed for the erection of a garden room and realigned rear boundary fence, subject to conditions.
• Land adjacent to Kiln Close, Whaddon, SP5 3HE (Appeal Ref: APP/Y3940/W/25/3361131): Appeal dismissed for the excavation of a former railway embankment and erection of three self-build dwellings. The Inspector found no harm to character and appearance but dismissed the appeal due to the failure to demonstrate compliance with biodiversity gain requirements.

The committee was also provided with a list of planning appeals received and decided between 05/06/2026 and 03/07/2026.