The Eastern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider two planning applications: one for the erection of an equestrian trainer's house and another for a change of use to a children's home. The committee was also scheduled to receive updates on planning appeals.

Planning Applications

Land southeast of Manton Park Farmhouse, Manton, Marlborough

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the erection of a five-bedroom equestrian trainer's house on land southeast of Manton Park Farmhouse¹. This proposal was intended to replace an existing trainer's house entitlement elsewhere on the Manton Estate, with a legal agreement proposed to prevent the implementation of both permissions. The application was situated within the North Wessex Downs National Landscape², and concerns were raised by the National Landscape Partnership regarding the scale, massing, and design of the proposed dwelling, as well as its relationship with the landscape. The Council's Landscape Officer, however, raised no objection following revisions to the design, siting, and relationship with Public Footpath PRES27³. The report pack indicated a recommendation to grant planning permission, subject to the completion of a legal agreement and several conditions, including those relating to landscaping, external materials, and an occupancy restriction for the dwelling to be occupied by someone employed in the care or training of horses.

Castle Farm Bungalow, Hilworth Road, Devizes

The committee was also scheduled to consider a change of use application for Castle Farm Bungalow⁴ from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a children's home (Use Class C2) accommodating up to four children. The property, located just outside the settlement boundary of Devizes, would remain a residential use, with no external alterations proposed. The report pack indicated that the proposal would reuse an existing residential building and would not result in isolated development in the countryside. Concerns were raised by Devizes Town Council and local residents regarding potential amenity impacts, noise, disturbance, and the suitability of the property for the proposed use. However, the Council's Highway Officer raised no objection, and the report pack suggested that the property was capable of accommodating the proposed use with sufficient off-street parking. The recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions limiting the use to a children's home for no more than four children and allowing for reversion to a dwellinghouse.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive details of completed and pending planning appeals. The report pack indicated that appeals received had primarily related to delegated decisions rather than committee decisions. An update was expected on an appeal concerning land south of Coate Road, Devizes, which was an appeal against non-determination.