The Western Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Wednesday 15 July 2026. The meeting's agenda included a report on a proposed modification to the definitive map and statement concerning a public right of way in Longbridge Deverill, and an application for advertisement consent to display the Progressive Pride flag at County Hall.

Modification of Definitive Map and Statement for Longbridge Deverill Path No.15

The committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding The Wiltshire Council Parish of Longbridge Deverill Path No.15 (part) Definitive Map and Statement Modification Order 2026. This order, made under Section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, proposed upgrading a section of footpath (LDEV15) to bridleway status and recording its width as 9.1 metres (30 feet), as awarded by the inclosure commissioners in 1795.

Wiltshire Council has a statutory duty to maintain and review the definitive map and statement of public rights of way. An application was received in February 2013 to amend the map for Longbridge Deverill, based on historical evidence suggesting the route should be recorded as a bridleway. Officers investigated the evidence, including the Longbridge Deverill Inclosure award of 1795, which described the route as a Private Carriage Road and Drift Way and Public Bridle Way of thirty feet in breadth.

The report indicated that the order had attracted one objection from a directly affected landowner, Mrs Da Silva, and two representations of support from Ms Michelle Haley and the Bridleways and Byways Trust. The objection raised concerns about the impact on her equestrian property, including biosecurity risks, fencing costs, loss of usable land, and safety concerns. However, the report stated that matters such as land management, costs, safety, and the perceived benefit or need for the route are not considered relevant when determining orders under Section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The report concluded that the documentary evidence, on the balance of probabilities, demonstrated the route was and remains a public bridleway, and recommended that the order be forwarded to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with a recommendation for confirmation without modification.

Advertisement Consent for Progressive Pride Flag at County Hall

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for advertisement consent (PL/2026/02958) for the display of a Progressive Pride flag at Wiltshire Council's County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN. The application sought consent to display the flag for no more than five days in any calendar year, for a period of five years, on the existing 10-metre high flagpole.

The report detailed that the Progressive Pride flag, designed by Daniel Quasar, is a redesign of the rainbow pride flag incorporating additional colours and shapes to represent more people within communities. The application required express consent under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007, as the flag did not fall within categories for exemption or deemed consent.

The assessment of advertisement consent applications is limited to impacts on amenity and public safety. The report noted that Trowbridge Town Council raised no objection. However, 522 representations were received, with 369 objections and 153 in support. Objectors primarily raised concerns about council buildings remaining politically and ideologically neutral, the flag representing a particular viewpoint, potential divisiveness, and the risk of setting a precedent for future requests. Supporters viewed the flag as a symbol of inclusion, recognition, and respect, and a demonstration of the area being welcoming to all.

The report clarified that, under the Advertisement Regulations, express consent for advertisements should not contain limitations or restrictions relating to the subject matter, content, or design, unless it appears to be required in the interests of amenity or public safety. The report concluded that the proposed flag would cause no harm to visual amenity or public safety, and therefore recommended approval of advertisement consent, subject to conditions limiting the display to a cumulative period of no more than five days in any calendar year and for a period of five years.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was also scheduled to receive details of completed and pending planning appeals and other updates as appropriate. The provided documents included information on several appeal decisions:

• Land South of 214B Corsham Road, Whitley, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 8QF (Appeal Ref: 6003438): An appeal against Wiltshire Council's refusal of permission in principle for the erection of up to 5 dwellings was dismissed. The Inspector found the proposal contrary to local planning policies regarding development outside settlement boundaries and within a green wedge, and that the adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.
• Land off Old Dilton Road, Old Dilton, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4DB (Appeal Ref: 6004383): An appeal against the refusal of permission in principle for the erection of up to three self or custom-build dwellings was dismissed. The Inspector determined that the proposal constituted habitats development and was therefore exempt from permission in principle, as an unfavourable Appropriate Assessment could not be avoided due to potential significant effects on the Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
• The Old Barn, Keevil, Wiltshire BA14 6NQ (Appeal Ref: 6004625): An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the change of use and conversion of a barn to a self-build dwelling was allowed. The Inspector found that while the proposal conflicted with some local policies, material considerations, particularly the National Planning Policy Framework's emphasis on boosting housing supply and the re-use of isolated buildings, indicated that the presumption in favour of sustainable development applied. Conditions were imposed to address impacts on the Bath and Bradford on Avon Bats SAC and for highway safety.

The documents also included a table of planning appeals received and decided between 5 June 2026 and 3 July 2026, detailing application numbers, site locations, proposals, and appeal outcomes.