The Strategic Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to consider two significant planning applications. The committee was scheduled to discuss outline permission for a large residential-led mixed-use development at Midge Hall Farm, Royal Wootton Bassett, and a proposed Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility at Park Grounds, Royal Wootton Bassett.

Planning Application PL/2025/02340 - Land at Midge Hall Farm, Royal Wootton Bassett

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for outline permission for a residential-led mixed-use development at Land at Midge Hall Farm, Swindon Road, Royal Wootton Bassett. The proposal included plans for up to 425 residential dwellings (Class C3), a mixed-use Local Centre (including Classes E and F2), a Primary School (Class F1), employment land (Class E), public open space, and associated infrastructure. All matters were reserved except for access from Hook Road and Swindon Road.

The report pack indicated that this application was considered a departure from the development plan as it proposed housing on unallocated land outside the established settlement limits of Royal Wootton Bassett. The report detailed extensive consultation responses from various bodies, including Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, and Lydiard Millicent Parish Council, many of whom raised objections concerning education, healthcare, traffic, flood risk, and existing infrastructure capacity.

Wiltshire Council Highways Department raised no objection, subject to conditions and Section 106 contributions. Active Travel England initially had a holding objection but this was later resolved. National Highways also raised no objection, subject to conditions. The report detailed significant Section 106 contributions proposed, covering affordable housing, education, transport, healthcare, and public open space.

The report also addressed concerns regarding design, landscape impact, heritage assets, highway safety, flood risk, ecology, and amenity. It noted that Wiltshire Council currently has a shortfall in its five-year housing land supply, which engages the presumption in favour of sustainable development under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The report concluded that the benefits of the proposal, particularly the delivery of housing and affordable housing, outweighed the identified harms.

Planning Application PL/2025/06988 - Land at Park Grounds, Brinkworth Road, Royal Wootton Bassett

The committee was also scheduled to consider a proposal for an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility at Land at Park Grounds, Brinkworth Road, Royal Wootton Bassett. The development included ancillary plant and equipment for generating renewable biogas from food waste, a digestate storage lagoon, a biomethane refuelling station, enhanced access points, landscaping, and biodiversity enhancements.

The site was identified as a strategic waste site allocation within the adopted Wiltshire and Swindon Waste Site Allocations Local Plan. The report highlighted that the proposal would contribute to renewable energy generation and waste management, aligning with national and local policies aimed at moving waste up the hierarchy and supporting a transition to net zero.

Consultation responses from Wiltshire Council departments, including Highways, Ecology, and Public Protection, indicated no objection subject to conditions. The Environment Agency also raised no objection, noting that the facility would be subject to a bespoke Environmental Permit process. Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council initially objected on grounds of traffic, visual impact, odour, health and safety, and restoration, but later withdrew their objection. Brinkworth Parish Council had previously objected on grounds of traffic, surface water discharge, and cumulative impacts.

The report addressed potential impacts on human health and amenity, including noise, odour, and air quality, concluding that mitigation measures and conditions would ensure these were managed. Landscape and visual impacts were assessed, with the report noting that the site was not subject to specific landscape designations and that mitigation planting would be incorporated. Traffic and transportation impacts were considered, with no objection from the highway authority, subject to conditions controlling construction and operational traffic. The water environment was assessed, with no objection from the Environment Agency or the council's drainage officers, subject to conditions.

The report concluded that the proposal was acceptable in principle and in accordance with the development plan, delivering significant benefits in terms of waste management, renewable energy, and economic investment.

The meeting was scheduled to include standard agenda items such as apologies, minutes of the previous meeting, declarations of interest, chairman's announcements, and public participation. It was also scheduled to receive details of planning appeals and updates.