An appeal against Wiltshire Council’s decision to refuse permission for permanent living in holidays lodges near Malmesbury has been dismissed.

When the twelve new holiday lodges at Oaksey Park Golf and Leisure, on Wick Road, were approved by the council over ten years ago, it was on the condition of restricting permanent living.

However, in 2022, Cotswold Ecohomes applied to change those conditions to allow the permanent occupation of the lodges to those aged over 55, dependent relatives and carers.

The applicant argued that there were “significant advantages” to the proposal, such as “enabling those seeking to downsize to remain in their local rural area.”

Nevertheless, Wiltshire Council refused the suggested changes, stating:
“The proposed development is not in a sustainable location for this form of residential accommodation being poorly related to services and facilities required by future occupants of the dwellings.”

An appeal was made against this decision three months after the applicant was informed of the refusal.  

This appeal has now been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate, which suggested that a new full planning application would be required “for the erection of housing for over 55s.”

The report concluded that “the proposal as set out in the application to the council would result in a discrepancy with the original description of development.”