The Southern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider a significant residential development proposal in Old Sarum, Salisbury. The meeting's agenda also included updates on planning appeals and a discussion on urgent items.

Planning Application for Old Sarum Development

The primary item scheduled for discussion was a planning application for a residential development at Land to the west of Roger Way and Old Sarum Local Centre (Block C), Old Sarum, Salisbury. The proposal, application number PL/2021/04084, sought to construct 49 new dwellings. This included the erection of 42 dwellings on land west of Roger Way and the change of use of a vacant ground floor unit at Block C of the Old Sarum Local Centre to create 7 affordable apartments.

The report pack indicated that the proposal was recommended for approval, subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement and the imposition of various planning conditions. The agreement would secure contributions towards affordable housing, public open space, equipped children's play, outdoor sports, waste and recycling infrastructure, and mitigation for the River Avon Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Key considerations for this application included:

• Principle of Development: The report noted that the Roger Way site had been earmarked for employment use but had remained undeveloped, with marketing exercises showing limited interest. The change of use for Block C aimed to bring a long-vacant unit into use for affordable housing. The council's current inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply was highlighted as a significant factor, with the proposal contributing 49 dwellings towards this shortfall.
• Design and Impact on Character: The proposed development was designed to be in keeping with the existing character of the Old Sarum area, utilising traditional forms and materials.
• Heritage Impacts: The development was considered to have no adverse impact on the significance of the Old Sarum Ancient Monument, the Old Sarum Airfield, or the Grade II listed World War II hangars.
• Amenity Impacts: Concerns regarding noise and light from the adjacent Salisbury Football Club were addressed through revised mitigation measures, including an acoustic barrier and mechanical ventilation for affected dwellings. The Public Protection Officer, after reviewing updated information, raised no objection subject to conditions.
• Archaeological Impact: A condition requiring a programme of archaeological investigation was recommended for the Roger Way site due to its archaeological potential.
• Access and Highway Safety: The Highways Officer raised no objection to the revised plans, subject to conditions, noting that the proposal was unlikely to have an adverse impact on highway safety.
• Drainage and Flooding: The site is located in Flood Zone 1, a low flood risk area. A surface water drainage strategy was proposed, and the Council's Drainage Team raised no objection subject to conditions.
• Ecological Impacts: The proposal was assessed for its impact on protected species and habitats. Mitigation measures for the River Avon SAC were to be secured through a council-led credit scheme. Updated ecological checks were recommended due to the passage of time since initial surveys.
• Affordable Housing: The proposal included the provision of affordable housing units, which was strongly supported by national and local planning policy.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive details of completed and pending planning appeals. The provided documents listed three appeals received between August and September 2026, all of which were for refusals and were proceeding via written representations. There were no planning appeals decided within that period.

Urgent Items

The agenda also included a slot for any other items of business that the Chairman deemed urgent. The minutes from a previous meeting indicated that Cllr Sven Hocking had raised an issue with the online form for planning applications, specifically a missing file tab in the Comments section, and requested the Chairman to address this with relevant officers.