Objections

Biodiversity and Environment

• The site consists of approximately 11 hectares of greenfield agricultural land and open countryside.
• The land provides important habitat and ecological connectivity for wildlife.
• Development would result in habitat loss, fragmentation and increased disturbance from housing, traffic and lighting.
• Existing hedgerows, trees and natural features contribute to local biodiversity and should be protected.
• Concerns remain regarding whether genuine Biodiversity Net Gain can be achieved on such a sensitive site.
• The proposal would result in the permanent loss of undeveloped countryside.

Heritage Impact

• The site lies within the setting of the Battlesbury and Scratchbury Hillfort Scheduled Monuments.
• The development adjoins the Bishopstrow Conservation Area.
• The significance of these heritage assets is closely linked to their rural landscape setting.
• A large housing estate would urbanise an area that currently contributes to the historic character of the locality.
• The proposal risks causing harm to important views and the setting of nationally significant heritage assets.
• Previous planning assessments and inspector comments have reportedly raised concerns regarding development of this site.

Rural Buffer and Settlement Separation

• Home Farm forms an important green gap between Warminster and Bishopstrow.
• The site helps maintain the separate identity and character of both communities.
• Development would significantly reduce the existing rural buffer.
• The proposal could create a perception of settlement coalescence.
• Loss of open countryside would weaken the distinction between Warminster and Bishopstrow.

Highway Safety and Access

• Concerns exist regarding the additional traffic generated by 135 dwellings.
• Boreham Road may struggle to accommodate increased vehicle movements safely.
• Increased traffic could impact road safety, congestion and local amenity.
• Additional pedestrian and cycle movements may place further pressure on existing infrastructure.
• The proposed access arrangements may require alteration or loss of part of the historic boundary wall along Boreham Road.
• The wall contributes to the character of this historic approach into Warminster.

Landscape Character

• The site forms part of the attractive countryside setting of Warminster and Bishopstrow.
• Development would urbanise a prominent greenfield location.
• The proposal would result in the loss of open views and rural character.
• The countryside contributes significantly to the visual quality of the area.

Tourism and Local Economy

• The rural setting contributes to the attractiveness of the area for visitors.
• Nearby businesses benefit from the area’s countryside character and historic setting.
• Urbanisation of the site may diminish qualities that support tourism and hospitality businesses.
• The wider economic impacts on local tourism should be carefully considered.

Conflict with the Development Plan

• The site is not allocated for housing within the adopted Wiltshire Development Plan.
• The proposal therefore represents speculative development.
• Planning decisions should generally follow the adopted development plan.
• The site has recognised constraints relating to heritage, landscape and settlement separation.
• The absence of a housing allocation should carry significant weight.
• Development would result in the loss of a substantial area of unallocated greenfield land.

Suggested Closing Statement

• The proposal would cause unacceptable harm to biodiversity, heritage assets, landscape character and settlement identity.
• The site is an unsuitable location for development at the scale proposed.
• For these reasons, Wiltshire Council should refuse planning permission for Application PL/2026/02717.