The Western Area Planning Committee were scheduled to discuss planning applications, planning appeals, and a rights of way application at a meeting on 9 July 2025. The meeting was to be held at County Hall, Trowbridge. Cllr Stewart Palmén, Portfolio Holder for Schools, was scheduled to chair the meeting.

Planning Application: Land West of Wesley Lane, Southwick, Trowbridge

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the erection of 30 residential dwellings, including 9 locally discounted first homes, as well as public open space, landscaping and sustainable urban drainage measures, on land west of Wesley Lane (Lamberts Marsh), Southwick, Trowbridge.

The application site is allocated for housing in the made Southwick Neighbourhood Development Plan 2018-2036 (NDP). Policy 5b of the NDP states that the site is allocated for residential use of approximately 27 homes with associated green infrastructure, and that the development should deliver at least 30% affordable homes. The proposed scheme seeks 30 dwellings, and 30% (nine homes) to be secured as affordable homes which would be in the form of locally discounted first homes.

The committee was to be informed that the Wiltshire Council Highways Authority had no objection, subject to conditions, and that the Wiltshire Council Drainage Authority supported the application subject to conditions. The Wiltshire Council Archaeology officer requested additional archaeology work, and the applicant had agreed to provide double the requested trial trench evaluation of 6% rather than 3% as a post-decision obligation and prior to any house building works commencing, to be controlled by a planning condition. Natural England had no objection, and the Wiltshire Council Ecologist supported the application subject to conditions.

Rights of Way Applications: Heywood 20

The committee was scheduled to discuss The Wiltshire Council Heywood 20 (Part) Extinguishment and Definitive Map and Statement Modification Order 2024, and The Wiltshire Council Heywood 20 (Part) Creation and Definitive Map and Statement Modification Order 2024.

The application to divert Heywood Footpath 20 (HEYW20) was initially made to divert the right of way on to the used route around the field edge away from Clanger Farm for privacy and security of the home and working farm. The section of path to be deleted is approximately 515 metres with a recorded width of 1 metre. The path to be created is approximately 545 metres and will have a width of 2 metres.

The committee was to consider one objection to the extinguishment order and one representation to the creation order, both made by Mr Francis Morland.

The committee was to be reminded of Defra government guidance on diversion or extinguishment of public rights of way that pass through private dwellings, their curtilages and gardens, farmyards and industrial or commercial premises, dated August 2023, which states:

In making its decision as to whether the existing path should be diverted or extinguished, an authority should consider in particular the impact of the existing path on the property owner and/or occupier against the benefit that having the right of way through the land brings to the public, taking account of this guidance.

Planning Application: 2 Sarum Avenue Melksham

The committee was scheduled to consider a partial retrospective application for a small summer house/shed with a covered area to the west side of said summer house/shed at 2 Sarum Avenue Melksham.

The overall footprint of the operational development measures 7.7m x 3.2m with the built shed measuring 3.2m x 4.1m, with the remaining area consisting of a covered area with one stone clad wall elevation on the west side of the building. The roof of the summer house/shed has a modest 5-degree sloping roof with eaves and ridge heights of 2.3m and 2.6m respectively. The covered area (closest to No.26 Woodstock Gardens) is lower, with eaves and ridge at 2.1m and 2.5m respectively.

The committee was to be reminded that Melksham Town Council objects to the application, and that concerns have been raised about the location of the building and its proximity to the boundary and build line. Concerns have also been raised about the size of the pond, and a request was made that Wiltshire Council check the size and depth of the pond to confirm it complies with regulations. If Wiltshire Council is minded to approve the application, a request was made that conditions be imposed to mitigate the noise and vibration from the pump.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on planning appeals received and determined between 30 May 2025 and 27 June 2025.

Two appeals had been received:

• Land off Ashton Road Hilperton, BA14 7QY - Erection of 1No dwelling and detached garage
• New Cottages, Tytherington, Wiltshire, BA12 7AE - Proposed garaging and garden store

Three appeals had been decided:

• 6 Ash Walk, Warminster - Conversion and extension to a partially constructed single storey ancillary garden building to a 2-storey detached dwelling and associated works - Dismissed
• Ludlows Farm, Bradley Road, Warminster - Change of use of former clinic building to separate residential unit (retrospective) - Dismissed
• Land at Penn Farm, Capps Lane, Heywood, Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4NF - Extension and alterations to existing storage building to provide function room, kitchen, toilets and washing facilities in association with on site public camping, and associated use of outdoor seating and play space, together with the provision of 1No Gypsy and Traveller pitch, varying application PL/2021/08566 (in retrospect) - Dismissed, with an application for costs refused.