The Southern Area Planning Committee of Wiltshire Council was scheduled to consider two planning applications: one for a variation of conditions on an approved dwelling in Tisbury, and another for outline planning permission for up to 28 dwellings in Mere. The meeting was also set to receive an update on planning appeals.

Planning Appeals and Updates

The committee was scheduled to receive details of completed and pending planning appeals. This included information on appeals lodged between 6 March and 10 April 2026, and those decided within the same period. Notably, an appeal regarding Poles Farm in Swallowcliffe was listed as having been overturned at committee, and an appeal for Barn 40m South Of Timberlea in Landford was recommended for refusal. An appeal decision for 91 Bingham Road, Salisbury, resulted in the dismissal of the appeal against the officer's recommendation to refuse.

Variety Barn, Hindon Lane, Tisbury

A planning application was scheduled for discussion concerning Variety Barn, Hindon Lane, Tisbury, SP3 6QQ. The proposal was to vary condition 2 of an approved application (PL/2023/10016) relating to the design and siting of a new dwelling. The original approval was for the demolition of an existing stone barn and the erection of a self-build dwelling. This application sought to alter the design and location of that approved dwelling.

The report pack indicated that the principle of residential development on this site had been established through previous consents. However, Tisbury Parish Council had raised objections, stating that the proposed changes constituted a fundamentally new application rather than a variation of conditions. They highlighted a significant increase in the dwelling's size and a change in its location, which they believed would harm the character of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape and increase light pollution. Wiltshire Council Highways raised no objection, and Wiltshire Council Ecology raised no objection subject to conditions. Natural England also raised no objection, subject to mitigation measures being secured.

Land at Woodlands Road, Mere

The committee was also scheduled to consider an outline planning application for land at Woodlands Road, Mere, Warminster, BA12 6BT. The proposal involved the formation of a new vehicular and pedestrian access and the erection of up to 28 dwellings. This outline application was specifically to determine the access arrangements.

The site is located to the west of Woodlands Road, outside of the settlement boundary for Mere, which is classified as a Local Service Centre. This location is contrary to Core Policy 2 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy, which prioritises development within defined settlement boundaries. The report pack noted that Wiltshire Council currently has a shortfall in its five-year housing land supply, which engages the tilted balance in favour of sustainable development under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Wiltshire Council Highways maintained its view that pedestrian and cycle routes to Mere's services are not ideal, potentially increasing reliance on private cars. However, they acknowledged the policy and in-principle nature of the objection and deferred to the committee's decision, given the proximity to other consented residential developments. Wiltshire Council Rights of Way requested a £12,000 contribution towards improving local public rights of way. Wiltshire Council Archaeology, Arboricultural Officer, Public Protection, and Drainage all raised no objection, subject to various conditions. Wiltshire Council Landscape initially objected but withdrew it following amendments to the layout and landscaping scheme. Wiltshire Council Housing Enabling team outlined requirements for affordable housing provision, tenure mix, and parking.

The report indicated that the proposal would include 30% affordable housing, comprising eight units. Concerns were raised by third parties regarding the site being a greenfield location outside the settlement boundary, potential overdevelopment, inadequate infrastructure, highway safety, flood risk, and ecological impacts. The report concluded that while there were conflicts with local policy and some harm to the landscape, the benefits of delivering new homes, including affordable housing, and the site's sustainable location, outweighed these harms, particularly given the housing land supply shortfall.