The Northern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider a significant planning application for the material change of use of land for the siting of mobile homes for residential use, alongside a village shop and café. The meeting also included updates on planning appeals and other routine committee business.

Planning Applications

Land Adjacent to St. Mary's Close and to the South of Hollow Way, Bradenstoke

The committee was scheduled to consider a proposal for the material change of use of land to accommodate 19 mobile homes for residential occupation, along with a village shop and café, and associated parking. The report pack indicated that the site is located in the countryside adjacent to the village of Bradenstoke, which is classified as a 'Small Village' within the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

The proposal was presented as a way to provide age-restricted open market housing, contributing to housing supply in an area with a significant shortfall. The inclusion of a village shop and café was highlighted as a benefit, reintroducing a service lost to the village and reducing the need for short car journeys.

The report detailed extensive consultation responses, with numerous objections from local residents and the Parish Council, primarily concerning the impact on the village's rural character, strain on utilities and transport links, environmental and wildlife impacts, and traffic and highway safety issues.

Wiltshire Council's Ecology, Highways, Archaeology, Education, Public Protection, Landscape, Arboricultural Officer, Drainage, and Waste and recycling departments provided comments, with no objections raised subject to conditions and planning obligations. The report noted that the site lies within Flood Zone 1, with very low fluvial and tidal flood risk, and a detailed sustainable drainage assessment was provided.

The proposal was recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure contributions for open space, sports pitches, waste and recycling provision, and biodiversity net gain monitoring. The report also outlined the tilted balance approach due to Wiltshire Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, suggesting that the benefits of the development, particularly housing provision, would outweigh the identified harms.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive details of completed and pending planning appeals. The provided documents included several appeal decisions:

• SW Group Logistics, Chelworth Industrial Estate, Cricklade: An appeal concerning the erection of a new warehouse building was allowed, with the Inspector finding that while the location conflicted with the development plan, relevant policies were out of date and national policy supported economic growth. A separate costs decision awarded costs against Wiltshire Council due to unreasonable behaviour.
• Merrythatch, Bushton: An appeal against the refusal of listed building consent for an extension was dismissed, with the Inspector finding that the proposed works would harm the significance of the Grade II listed building.
• Whitley Farm, Whitley: An appeal concerning the conversion of a barn to residential use under permitted development rights was allowed, with the Inspector finding that the building was part of an established agricultural unit on the required date.
• Waterhay Barn, Leigh: An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a self/custom build dwelling was dismissed, with the Inspector citing conflicts with local policies regarding housing development in the countryside and the character and appearance of the area.
• Land at School Lane, Lea, Malmesbury: An appeal for permission in principle for the erection of one dwelling was allowed. The Inspector found that despite conflict with the development plan's spatial strategy, material considerations, including the Council's housing land supply shortfall and the site's proximity to village facilities, indicated that permission should be granted.
• 5 St Michaels Close, Lyneham: An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for extensions and external material changes was dismissed, with the Inspector finding that the proposal would harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

Other Items

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as apologies, minutes of the previous meeting, and declarations of interest. There was also a note regarding public participation, outlining the procedures for members of the public to make statements or ask questions.