The Southern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026. The committee considered planning applications and received updates on planning appeals.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 2026 were presented for consideration. Following discussion, the committee resolved to approve the minutes as a true and correct record. Councillor Sven Hocking raised an issue regarding the online form for planning applications and the inaccuracy of instructions for viewing comments; the Planning Manager made a note to take this away and follow up on it.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee received details of completed and pending appeals, as well as other updates. This included information on appeals received between 03/07/2026 and 07/08/2026, and appeals decided between 03/07/2026 and 07/08/2026. One appeal decision noted was the dismissal of an appeal relating to Castle View Care Centre, 8 Old Castle Road, Salisbury, SP1 3SF, concerning variations to window conditions and the removal of a condition, primarily due to concerns about nutrient loading on the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Application Number: PL/2021/04084 - Land to the west of Roger Way and Old Sarum Local Centre (Block C), Old Sarum, Salisbury

This application, concerning residential development of 49 dwellings and the change of use of a vacant ground floor unit at Block C of the Old Sarum Local Centre to affordable apartments, was discussed. Public participation included objections from the Director of Salisbury Football Club and the Laverstock & Ford Parish Council, and support from Persimmons. The committee asked technical questions regarding design, parking, community use, ecology, and potential impacts from the adjacent football club. Concerns were raised about the loss of employment land, the potential loss of a community facility, and the adequacy of mitigation measures for noise and light from the football club. The ecological surveys were also noted as being out of date. The committee resolved to refuse planning permission for this application for several reasons, including the unjustified loss of employment land, the loss of a planned community facility, the unsatisfactory residential amenity due to the proximity of the football club, and outdated ecological evidence.