The Western Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 18 March 2026. The meeting's agenda includes consideration of a planning application to vary a condition at Kingsdown Farm, Longbridge Deverill, and a report on planning appeals and updates.

Kingsdown Farm, Longbridge Deverill

A key item scheduled for discussion is a planning application concerning Kingsdown Farm, Lords Hill, Longbridge Deverill, Warminster, BA12 7DY¹. The application, identified as PL/2025/09889, seeks to vary condition 2 of a previous permission (PL/2022/01141) to alter the timescale for the deposit of waste and earthworks. The report pack indicates that officers are recommending approval with conditions.

The site is described as approximately 10.3 hectares of agricultural land, located within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape² (formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve. It is also within the Salisbury Plain Special Protection Area³ (SPA) and the Hampshire River Avon Catchment⁴ area. The application has been called in for committee consideration by Councillor Christopher Newbury⁵ due to concerns about visual impact on the surrounding area, environmental and highway impacts, and the perceived lack of landscaping required by previous permissions.

The report details a complex planning history for the site, involving multiple applications for agricultural buildings and land re-profiling since 2010. The current application seeks to extend the timeframe for completing earthworks, with the applicant citing delays in obtaining necessary permissions from the Environment Agency⁶ and shortages of waste material. The report notes that the principle of development for agricultural buildings and land re-profiling is well-established through previous approvals. Officers maintain that the proposed extension, subject to a revised landscaping condition and other existing controls on noise, traffic, and lighting, would not result in greater harm to the National Landscape or local amenity than previously approved.

Concerns have been raised by third parties and the Cranborne Chase National Landscape Planning/landscape advisor⁷ regarding the prolonged duration of the development, its visual impact on the landscape, and highway issues related to HGV traffic. Conversely, supportive representations highlight the need to support local farmers, the applicant's efforts to obtain necessary permissions, and the inert nature of the waste material being deposited.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee will also receive a report on Planning Appeals and Updates⁸. This section of the agenda is scheduled to provide details of completed and pending appeals, as well as other relevant updates. The report pack includes extensive information on various appeal decisions, including those related to housing developments in Hilperton⁹ and Bradford Leigh¹⁰, and applications for awnings in Bradford on Avon¹¹ and solar panel installations at The Old Church, Hill Deverill¹². These appeal decisions provide context on how planning matters are being determined at a national level.