The Western Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider several planning applications and a rights of way matter. The meeting was set to discuss a proposed housing development in Southwick, a retrospective application for a summer house in Melksham, and proposals related to a public footpath in Heywood.

Rights of Way Applications

Extinguishment and Creation of Footpath Heywood 20 (Part)

The committee was scheduled to consider proposals to extinguish part of Footpath Heywood 20 (HEYW20) and create an alternative route. The existing path runs through the garden of a private residence and is in close proximity to the farmhouse and farm buildings. The proposed new route would offer improved views, including of the Westbury White Horse, and would avoid passing through the private dwelling and garden.

An objection to the extinguishment order was lodged by Mr Francis Morland, who raised concerns about the necessity of the extinguishment and the potential for the proposed diversion to be obstructed by gates. The applicant's response indicated that the gates would be kissing gates and not lockable, and were necessary to prevent livestock from entering the garden. The officer's report noted that the proposed route was already in use by the public and offered a superior experience. The recommendation was to forward the orders to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with the extinguishment order to be confirmed as made and the creation order to be confirmed with a modification to include the width of the path.

Planning Applications

PL/2024/11307: 2 Sarum Avenue, Melksham, SN12 6BL

This application concerned a partial retrospective application for a summer house/shed with a covered area. The proposal was called in by Councillor Jon Hubbard due to concerns about the scale of the development, its visual impact, relationship to adjoining properties, design, and potential environmental impact from a pump.

The officer's report recommended approval subject to conditions. It noted that while part of the structure projected beyond the principal elevation of the host property, it was considered a subservient ancillary structure and was largely screened by a 1.9m high boundary fence. The report also clarified that concerns regarding an air source heat pump and a koi pond, which were also present on the site, would need to be addressed in separate applications.

PL/2022/05416: Land West of Wesley Lane (Lamberts Marsh), Southwick, Trowbridge

This application sought full planning permission for a new access and roadway, the erection of 30 residential dwellings (including 9 locally discounted first homes), public open space, landscaping, and sustainable urban drainage measures. The site is allocated for housing in the Southwick Neighbourhood Development Plan.

The report highlighted that the principle of development was established by the site allocation. It also addressed concerns regarding design, scale, visual impact, residential amenity, archaeology, landscape, ecology, drainage, highway safety, and planning obligations. The Southwick Parish Council supported the application, with specific requests regarding access improvements, footpath diversion during construction, and window shielding for privacy, all of which the applicant had agreed to. The Council's ecologist and landscape officer also raised no objections, subject to conditions and mitigation measures, including the provision of a 30m bat corridor. The recommendation was to approve the application subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on planning appeals. This included details of appeals received and decided between 30 May and 27 June 2025. Notably, an appeal against a refusal for the conversion and extension of a garden building to a two-storey dwelling at 6 Ash Walk, Warminster, was dismissed due to harm to the character and appearance of the area and the setting of heritage assets. Another appeal concerning the change of use of a former clinic building at Ludlows Farm, Warminster, to a residential unit was also dismissed, primarily due to flood risk concerns. An appeal regarding extensions and alterations to a storage building at Penn Farm, Heywood, to provide a function room and a Gypsy and Traveller pitch, was also dismissed due to concerns about highway and pedestrian safety. A related costs application against Wiltshire Council was also refused.