Three days to go

/ Planning Application / By

There is only 3 days to go to the end of the Wiltshire Council consultation phase for the Bellway speculative planning application on Home Farm, Warminster. 

I have just checked the Wiltshire Council planning site and 143 objections have been submitted so far. I have just sent a further 170 objections collected in the Mall over the last 2 days to be added to the list. 

It remains fundamentally important that as many EBBRAG members, their relatives, neighbours, friends, etc object to significantly increase the objection numbers. A couple should each submit an objection, rather than a single joint objection and if they have adult children, they should also submit an objection. As previously stated, the key objection points for the application remain:

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 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.

You can raise an objection by email or through the Wiltshire Council Planning website:

1. Wiltshire Council’s preferred method is to use the form under the “Comments” tab on the application website.

2. Alternatively, objections may be emailed to: developmentmanagement@wiltshire.gov.uk, marked “for attn. Russell Brown”.

We have also become aware that the Warminster Town Council Planning Advisory Committee will be reviewing the application on Mon 15 Jun, starting at 1900hrs. The planning applications that will reviewed are:

PL/2026/02717  Land at Home Farm, Boreham Road, Warminster. Full planning permission for residential development (Use Class C3) comprising 135 dwellings with associated private amenity space and car/cycle parking, a comprehensive landscaping scheme to include publicly accessibly amenity space, sustainable drainage features, new tree planting and associated works. Alterations to the existing Home Farm access from Boreham Road, including demolition of a section of boundary wall, and new vehicular, cycle and pedestrian routes through the site. All associated infrastructure works. 

PL/2026/03056   Land at Home Farm, Boreham Road, Warminster – Listed Building Consent Removal of modern gate and repairs to reinstate the existing pedestrian opening in stone wall immediately west of The Cotes (Grade II) 

PL/2025/10007 Land off Ashley Coombe, Warminster, Ashley Coombe, BA12 9QU Outline planning application for the erection of up to 77 dwellings, public open space, landscaping and sustainable urban drainage system, with vehicular access off Ashley Coombe. All matters reserved except for means of access. 

PL/2025/09907 Brick Hill Farm, 48 Bath Road, Warminster, BA12 8PF (Amended Plans) Reserved Matters (scale, layout, external appearance and landscaping) for 9 No. dwellings and associated vehicular access, pursuant to Condition 2 of outline approval (ref. PL/2021/10503).

Five members of the EBBRAG committee plan to speak during the public response part however if any EBBRAG member specifically wants to talk, please inform me asp. It is important the Committee know the depth of opposition to the application which was clear during the Neighbourhood Plan phase. To show support for objecting to the application we would like as many members of EBBRAG as possible to attend in the audience. Ashley Combe supporters are likely to turn out in force, so we would love EBBRAG members to do the same. 

If you have any concerns or remarks please do not hesitate to get in touch.