The Southern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday 19 March 2026. The committee's agenda includes a review of planning appeals and updates, alongside consideration of a specific planning application for a mobile classroom at Greentrees Primary School.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee will receive details of completed and pending planning appeals. This includes information on appeals that have been decided between 28 November 2025 and 6 March 2026, and those that are currently awaiting a decision. The appeals report details a number of applications that were refused by the council and subsequently went to appeal, with varying outcomes. For instance, appeals concerning the division of a dwelling at 3-5 New Street, Salisbury, and the installation of a conservatory at Church View, Hindon, were dismissed. Conversely, an appeal for a detached garage with an office above at The Coach House, Stoford, was allowed with conditions, and an appeal regarding a log cabin at 35 Sarum Close, Salisbury, resulted in a variation of a condition.

Greentrees Primary School Mobile Classroom

A key item for discussion is the renewal of planning permission for a temporary mobile classroom at Greentrees Primary School¹ in Bishopdown, Salisbury. The classroom, currently occupied by Bishopdown Farm Pre-school, has been in place for approximately 10 years and is used to accommodate pupil numbers. The application seeks to renew the permission for a further five years.

The report highlights that the site is located within the limits of development for Bishopdown, identified as a Small Village in the Wiltshire Core Strategy². The principle of development for educational facilities is considered acceptable, with the mobile classroom being necessary to meet current and forecast pupil numbers for the pre-school.

However, the application has generated three letters of objection from local residents, primarily concerning ongoing issues with parking, access, and pedestrian safety around the school during drop-off and pick-up times. Concerns include vehicles mounting pavements, parking across gates, and congestion at a traffic calming pinch point on St Thomas Way. While Wiltshire Council's Highways Officer raises no objection, noting that parking restrictions are a matter of enforcement, the objectors argue that existing measures are ineffective and frequently disregarded.

The report acknowledges these concerns but states that the responsibility for enforcing the school's Travel Plan lies with the site operator (the pre-school) and potentially the Council's Highways Enforcement Team, rather than the Local Planning Authority. It is noted that Wiltshire Council has proposed amendments to Traffic Regulation Orders in St. Thomas' Way, including a mandatory School Keep Clear Marking, to address these parking issues.

From a planning perspective, officers consider the proposal acceptable, with the existing mobile classroom's scale, design, and materials being appropriate within the school campus and not causing material harm to visual or residential amenity. The temporary nature of the structure means that planning permission is granted for a further five-year period, after which the structure must be removed or a new application submitted. The recommendation is to approve the application with conditions relating to the approved plans, adherence to the agreed travel plan, and the removal of the mobile classroom within five years.