The Southern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to meet on Thursday 16 July 2026. The meeting's agenda included a review of planning appeals and updates, and consideration of a specific planning application for the erection of three self-build dwellings on land adjacent to Kiln Close in Whaddon.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive details of completed and pending planning appeals. Information suggests that several appeals may have been decided between June and July 2026. These potentially included appeals related to:

• The Greyfisher, Ayleswade Road, Harnham, Salisbury: An appeal concerning the demolition of garages and erection of a retail unit.
• Land at Woodlands Road, Mere, Warminster: An outline application for access and up to 28 dwellings.
• Land adjacent to Kiln Close, Whaddon, SP5 3HE: An application for excavation of a former railway embankment and erection of three self-build dwellings.
• Clover Park, Brickworth Road, Whiteparish, Salisbury: An application for a warehouse extension to permit 24-hour operation.
• Miledown Farm, Angel Lane, Hindon, Salisbury: An appeal for the erection of a dwelling to replace an existing residential unit.
• Poles Farm, Swallowcliffe, Salisbury: An appeal for a change of use from agriculture to residential, demolition of barns, and erection of a dwelling.
• Barn 40m South Of Timberlea, Landford Wood, Salisbury: An appeal for the conversion of an agricultural building to a residential dwelling.
• The Stables at Manor Farm House, East Grimstead, Salisbury: An appeal for the erection of a dwelling.
• 20 Norman Drive, Old Sarum, Salisbury: An appeal for the erection of a garden room and realigned rear boundary fence.
• Three Crowns, Whaddon, Salisbury: An appeal concerning an unauthorised change of use to residential.

Planning Applications

Land adjacent to Kiln Close, Whaddon, SP5 3HE (Application Number: PL/2025/07978)

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning application for the Excavation of former railway embankment, erection of 3 x new self-build dwellings, hard and soft landscaping and associated works on land adjacent to Kiln Close in Whaddon.

The report pack indicated that this application was a resubmission of a previously refused application (PL/2024/05291) which sought permission for three self-build dwellings. The previous application had been dismissed on appeal in September 2025, reportedly due to the absence of a legal mechanism to secure the dwellings as self-build. The current proposal included amendments to the site layout, primarily concerning Plot 3, due to land ownership matters. These changes involved a reduction in plot size, a re-siting of the dwellinghouse, and a reduction in proposed parking spaces for Plot 3.

The report highlighted that the principle of development for three self-build dwellings was considered acceptable, given the site's location within the settlement boundary of Whaddon, a Large Village according to Wiltshire Council's Core Strategy. The proposal was also noted to contribute to the council's housing land supply shortfall and deliver self-build units, for which there is an identified need.

However, the application had generated significant objections from Alderbury Parish Council and local residents, raising concerns about land contamination, the stability of the embankment after excavation, potential impacts on neighbouring properties, loss of habitat, highway safety, and drainage.

The council's ecologists had raised objections regarding the River Avon and River Test nitrate neutrality and the New Forest Special Protection Area (SPA), requiring financial contributions to mitigation schemes, which were to be secured via a legal agreement. The council's Public Protection Team had also noted potential risks associated with metals, hydrocarbons, asbestos, and ground gas, recommending conditions for further investigation and remediation.

The report noted that an appeal had been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on the grounds of non-determination of this application, meaning the council could no longer issue a formal decision. Any resolution from the committee would form the council's position for the appeal process. The officer's recommendation was for planning permission to be granted, subject to a legal agreement to secure financial contributions for ecological mitigation and the self-build nature of the dwellings, along with a series of planning conditions.