Trowbridge builder launches one-man protest against Wiltshire planners

Michael Thomas fixed a banner to steelwork at a former pizza takeaway in Trowbridge after a planning inspector dismissed his appeal against the council’s refusal in June last year to allow him to convert 12 Newtown into a house of multiple occupation with up to seven rooms spread over three floors.

He has vowed to carry on completing the conversion despite enforcement action ordering him to demolish the steelwork he put up on the building, which is not listed but is in a conservation area.

Mike Thomas with his protest banner at 12 Newtown, Trowbridge. Photo: Trevor Porter 69940-6 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Mr Thomas, 71, from Staverton, said: “They don’t follow the rules, they make them up as they go along. If council officers are not following the rules, why should I?

“I am going to carry on building against their order and allow them to take me to court. I am not afraid of going to jail, I have been jailed twice before and I’m told that these days they have toilets and televisions so I don’t think that it will be a hardship.”

His banner says: “There must be full trust, transparency and honesty in local politics and public services if politicians and public servants are to gain the respect of all those they serve. Wiltshire planning department are no longer a facilitator of planning policies but enforcers of planning law!

“Wiltshire Council supports and invests time and energy in greenfield developments and long developers outside and around Trowbridge at a profit, while actively hindering small builders/developers trying to fill a need for accommodation for those who do not qualify for those more expensive out of town accommodation.”

Michael Thomas's protest banner. Photo: Trevor Porter 69940-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Cllr Nick Botterill, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for development management said: “The planning application for the extension and conversion to a shop and accommodation to be used as a house over three floors at Newtown in Trowbridge was originally refused planning permission for several reasons.

“These include that the proposed development detracts from the character and appearance of the area, and that it is in conflict with both the National Planning Policy Framework and the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

“The applicant appealed the council’s decision, and the appeal was dismissed by the planning inspector, so the development cannot proceed as currently proposed.

“It has been suggested that Wiltshire Council planning department just makes up the rules on such matters. This is clearly absurd as an independent inspector has now looked into the case and dismissed the appeal.

“We judge all planning applications in accordance with planning law and with national and local polices.

“The council wishes to work positively with all our businesses in order ultimately to make the county a more prosperous place, however clearly it also has to strike a fair balance in weighing up any competing interests.”

The unfinished conversion work at 12 Newtown, Trowbridge, with the protest banner attached. Photo Trevor Porter 69939-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

After objections from residents and local ward councillor Stewart Palmen, Wiltshire Council issued a temporary stop notice. This was later superseded by the enforcement notice issued in September 2020.

Wiltshire Council planners later refused the scheme in June 2022, saying: “the proposed development by virtue of its bulk, mass, scale, elevational design and roofline represents an unacceptable form of development …. that detracts from the character and appearance of the area.”

They said it would encroach on the outdoor privacy of the property at 13 Newtown and that there was no provision in the scheme for parking vehicles and cycles.

Mr Thomas appealed against Wiltshire Council’s refusal but his appeal was dismissed in a decision published by planning inspector Helen O’Connor on May 24.