The Western Area Planning Committee met on Wednesday 18 March 2026 and approved a variation to planning conditions for Kingsdown Farm, Lords Hill, Longbridge Deverill, Warminster, BA12 7DY, extending the timeframe for land reprofiling works. The committee also noted updates on planning appeals, with several dismissed and some allowed.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee received an update on planning appeals, noting that six appeals had been dismissed and two allowed during the reporting period. Of particular note were two dismissed appeals relating to Land off Ashton Road in Hilperton, which reinforced the site's unsuitability for residential development. The committee was informed that the emerging Wiltshire Local Plan remains paused, with a decision on its potential withdrawal to be made in May 2026.

PL/2025/09889: Kingsdown Farm, Lords Hill, Longbridge Deverill, Warminster, BA12 7DY

The committee approved the variation of condition 2 of planning permission PL/2022/01141 for Kingsdown Farm. The variation extends the timeframe for the deposit of waste and earthworks on the site by three years and six months from the date of the decision. This decision was made subject to a number of conditions, including a revised landscaping condition designed to provide greater enforceability.

During the discussion, Councillor Christopher Newbury, the local unitary member, raised concerns regarding the prolonged nature of the development and the impact on the landscape, referencing objections from local parish councils and the Cranborne Chase National Landscape Board. Councillor Newbury moved to refuse the application, but the motion fell due to a lack of seconder. Councillor Trevor Carbin then moved to approve the application in line with the officer's recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Andrew Davis. The committee voted to approve the application.

The application sought to extend the deadline for completing land reprofiling works, which are necessary for the construction of previously approved agricultural buildings. The applicant cited delays in obtaining an Environment Agency waste handling permit as the primary reason for the need for an extension. Objectors, including the Cranborne Chase National Landscape Planning/landscape advisor and local parish councils, raised concerns about the prolonged duration of the works, the impact on the National Landscape, and the lack of implemented landscaping. Supporters highlighted the principle of development being established and that delays were outside the applicant's control.

The committee's decision to approve the application was based on the principle of development being long-established and the belief that the impacts on the National Landscape and highway safety would not be significantly greater than previously approved, particularly with the imposition of a more robust landscaping condition. The revised landscaping condition aims to ensure a satisfactory landscape mitigation for the development and the protection of existing important landscape features.

The decision was made despite objections from the Cranborne Chase National Landscape and local parish councils, who expressed concerns about the prolonged nature of the development and its impact on the protected landscape. The committee noted that the principle of development had been established through previous approvals and that the proposed extension of time would not result in greater harm than previously assessed, provided the enhanced conditions were met.

Councillor Christopher Newbury requested that his vote against the motion be recorded.