The Northern Area Planning Committee were scheduled to meet to discuss planning appeals, updates, and consider two planning applications relating to Fordlands, Main Road, Christian Malford, Chippenham, and land north of Chelworth Road, Cricklade Industrial Estate, Cricklade.

Planning Application: Land north of Chelworth Road, Cricklade Industrial Estate, Cricklade, SN6 6HE

The committee were scheduled to consider a full planning application for the retention of hardstanding as car parking, a link pedestrian access to an adjacent commercial site, landscaping, and biodiversity net gain¹ at land north of Chelworth Road in Cricklade Industrial Estate. The applicant is Big Van World.

The application was brought before the committee at the request of Councillor Nick Dye, Portfolio Holder for Flooding and Water Quality, due to concerns about visual, highways and environmental impacts.

Cricklade Parish Council objected to the proposal on the grounds that it does not comply with policy B5 of the Cricklade Neighbourhood Plan (CNP). Policy B5 states that proposals to extend the uses in the Chelworth Commercial Area into the surrounding countryside will not be supported.

A previous application for the retention of the use across a larger area was previously refused by the planning committee.

The planning officer noted that there remains an open enforcement case relating to the laying of the hard-standing and use of the larger area of the site.

The planning officer noted that many of the development plan policies in effect in the area and concerns raised in relation to the application and the industrial estate relate to increased commercial traffic and the consequent impacts on local villages, especially the impact of HGVs on the minor country road network. The planning officer also noted that the proposed parking area will be for the use of employees of a current and well established business located within the estate and would formalise a safe pedestrian route to the business away from vehicular traffic.

The planning officer stated that the installation of the height restrictor and fencing can be reasonably secured within a suitable time frame and required to be maintained to ensure a physical barrier against HGV access is provided.

The planning officer stated that the Local Highway Authority has offered no objection to the proposal confirming it would be a more effective use of the land and subject to a condition to ensure the car parking is ancillary to the applicant’s business and that no HGVs are permitted to be parked on the land.

The planning officer stated that the site is immediately adjacent to Bradon Lane with Gate 1 (of the Industrial Estate) a few meters further along on the southern side of the road. The planning officer also stated that to the north of the lane, where the application site lies, there is a mature and large verdant hedge concealing the majority of the site from public views.

The planning officer stated that the application has been supported by ecology reports showing that the works carried out to the site by the previous tenant had caused little loss in ecological terms, and that measures proposed as part of this application will then lead to a 59% net gain in habitat units and a near 17% gain in hedgerows.

The planning officer stated that the closest residential properties to the application site are located to the west of the site with the farmhouse at Pear Tree Farm being approximately 40 metres from the site boundary.

The planning officer recommended that planning permission is granted subject to conditions.

Planning Application: Fordlands, Main Road, Christian Malford, Chippenham, SN154BB

The committee were scheduled to consider a planning application for the retention of external and internal alterations, and to extend a rear orangery and roof terrace at Fordlands, Main Road, Christian Malford. The applicant is Ms Reena Rowan.

The application was brought before the Northern Area Planning Committee because it was called in by Councillor Howard Greenman for the following reasons:

• Visual impact upon the surrounding area
• Relationship to adjoining properties

Christian Malford Parish Council objected to the application.

The Council Conservation Officer had no objection, but deferred to the case officer to determine the application in light of national and local Conservation Policy Guidance.

The Council Highways Engineer had no objection.

The planning officer stated that the main issues are:

• Principle of Development
• Scale and Design
• Amenity
• Heritage
• Access and Parking

The planning officer stated that in February 2024 an application (PL/2023/06767) to extend the dwelling known as Fordlands was approved. The planning officer also stated that although not submitted under s73 to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990² (as amended), this application effectively seeks amendments to the development previously granted planning permission.

The planning officer summarised the differences between this new proposal and that previously granted planning permission as follows:

• Changes to hard landscaping – instead of the approved circular feature there would be a more traditional parking “apron”.
• The rear extension (with roof terrace over) would extend the full width of the rear elevation of the dwelling (spanning c.16.2m, projecting 5m from the rear elevation). As such an additional set of bifold doors would be provided on the rear elevation of the orangery (resulting in 3No. sets of bifold doors in total on this rear elevation.)
• The bay windows to the middle and western end of the front elevation would be replaced with squarer projecting elements, the central one providing a new reception space.
• Internal reconfiguration resulting in a lobby being formed in the northwest corner of the building, with the provision of a new door on the west elevation.
• A new door on the east elevation giving access from ground floor bedroom 5 into the garden.
• An extension on the east elevation to provide a store/boiler room/meter cupboard.
• At first floor a further pair of doors would be added to the rear elevation, at the eastern end, to provide access on the extended balcony from the dressing room.
• The building was originally proposed to be finished in reconstituted stone, with stone quoins. Now the building would be rendered at ground floor level with vertical cedar cladding at first floor, on all elevations.

The planning officer stated that the application received an objection from Christian Malford Parish Council and one letter of objection.

The planning officer recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee were scheduled to receive details of completed and pending appeals and other updates as appropriate.

The report pack included a list of planning appeals received between 04/04/2025 and 23/05/2025, including:

• PL/2022/00239 Land East of Restrop Road, Lydiard Green, Lydiard Millicent, Swindon, SN5 3LP: Change of use of land to use as a residential caravan site for 12 gypsy families.
• PL/2023/04996 Land West of Milbourne, Malmesbury: Outline planning application for erection of up to 92 dwellings (including 40% affordable housing).
• PL/2024/00559 Land at Sandy Furlong Farm, Compton Road, Hilmarton, Calne, SN11 8SH: Erection of 13 dwellings for independent older persons, associated parking, landscaping and works
• PL/2024/07098 Land to the North of 34-39 Clyffe Pypard, SN4 7PY: Change of use of land to form a 3 pitch traveller caravan site, with erection of day room and boundary fencing with access from Clyffe Pypard
• PL/2024/07903 Land at Gate Farm, Sutton Benger: Erection of two new dwellings and associated ancillary development.
• PL/2024/09385 Land adjoining Chelworth Lodge Industrial Estate, Cricklade: Change of use of agricultural land for commercial purposes and associated operational development (Retrospective)
• PL/2024/09733 3 Milbourne Park, Milbourne, Malmesbury, SN16 9JE: T1 - Silver Birch - Crown Reduction of up to 4 metres in height and 2 metres on lateral branches.
• PL/2024/10682 56 Sadlers Mead, Chippenham: Minor revisions to approved application PL/2024/07217 for loft conversion, front porch and alterations
• PL/2025/01307 34 Brook Drive, Corsham: Loft conversion with rear flat roof dormer

The report pack also included a list of planning appeals decided between 04/04/2025 and 23/05/2025, including:

• PL/2022/00093 Land at Pavenhill, Purton, Swindon, SN5 4DA: Demolition of 1 existing dwelling and erection of 25 market and affordable dwellings, with associated access works, car parking, public open space and landscaping. Appeal Allowed with Conditions.
• PL/2022/05504 Land at Stonehill, Charlton Minety, Wiltshire, SN16 9DX: Installation of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) together with associated ancillary infrastructure, equipment and access arrangements. Appeal Allowed with Conditions.
• PL/2022/07202 Euridge Manor, Euridge, Colerne, Chippenham, Wilts, SN14 8BJ: Use of land and buildings for events, retention of caravan as accommodation for event guests, formation of new access track for agricultural and events use, formation of new passing place, together with associated landscaping – part retrospective. Appeal Allowed with Conditions.
• PL/2024/00802 Land off Church Road, Luckington: Replacement of Commercial Outbuilding and Land (Class B8³, with ancillary workshop) to Accommodate New Detached Dwelling and Car Port. Appeal Dismissed.
• PL/2024/04027 Long View, Causeway End, Brinkworth: Erection of detached garage, garage conversion, external/ internal alterations, porch and attic conversion and associated works. Appeal Dismissed.
• PL/2024/05415 9 Orchard Road, Corsham: Side extension with two velux windows and extend the porch. Appeal Dismissed.
• PL/2024/07462 16 Kings Avenue, Corsham: Erection of 2no. 2-bedroomed semi-detached dwellings. Appeal Dismissed.
• PL/2024/10921 Land At The Haven, Webbs Hill, Minety: Erection of one dwelling. Appeal Dismissed.