A popular Christmas light trail has been given the go-ahead through a “world-famous” Wiltshire garden.

Wiltshire Council has given the National Trust permission for the 2024 installation of ‘Christmas at Stourhead’ at Stourhead Garden, through an application which also requested approval for the event in 2025 and 2026.

This year, Christmas at Stourhead will run from November 29 to January 1 and the 1.6km walking route will include views of “iconic Stourhead buildings” – the Bristol Cross, the Palladian Bridge, The Pantheon, The Temple of Apollo and Stourhead House.

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A block plan of the trail.A block plan of the trail. (Image: National Trust & Culture Creative.) The application stated: “The overarching concept of this event is to allow visitors to enjoy this world-famous garden with an after-dark light trail.

“As we refine the visitor experience each year, creative and logistical improvements are made to incorporate the lessons from the previous year.”

It concluded: “Building on the successes of the last five years, Christmas at Stourhead is a significant event for the region that is being delivered by a highly experienced team with a successful operational track record and formula.

“We believe the proposed temporary installations are an exciting and engaging concept and a fantastic addition in the annual programme for Stourhead Garden.

“It will draw visitors to the gardens for an enjoyable, seasonal experience and is fast becoming a family favourite within the region.”

In other planning news, in Westbury, a proposal has also been approved for the conversion of a vacant warehouse on West Wilts Trading Estate into an education building.

The applicant, Project SEMH Ltd, was originally set up in 2019 to provide specialist education teaching facilities for students with special education needs, primarily in Wiltshire.

Project SEMH has indicated that the occupier of the building will be The Bridge, an alternate provision that takes a “therapeutic and holistic” approach to education.

The application noted that the premises will be intended to accommodate up to a maximum of 48 pupils together with approximately 18 current members of staff, which may increase as student numbers rise.

The plans show that no structural changes will be made to the building to create the classroom spaces, but a further window will be inserted on the north east elevation to provide natural daylight.

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Meanwhile, up near Melksham, Stonar School on Coombe Lane has been granted planning permission for a stable block and an outdoor riding arena.

The application read: “The proposed stables will accommodate only 10 horses all of which are owned by the school.

“The proposed outdoor arena will be used solely by the school for exercising, riding, turn-out and educational classes of horses stabled at the site.”

The Wiltshire boarding school is described as the UK's leading equestrian school.

​Finally, a well-loved church further north of the county has had approval for a new stained-glass window to commemorate those who have maintained it over the last 800 years.

The church window's provisional design.The provisional design for the church window. (Image: St Giles Church & Google) St Giles Church in Stanton St Quintin had suffered a burglary during which someone broke into the site through a south facing window, and the church has now received permission to replace it with a new design.

The application stated: “The proposed window in St. Giles Church is to commemorate all those whose names are lost in time who maintained and enhanced it so significantly that it has survived the last 800 years or so.”

It added: “Being on the south side it should take full advantage of the summer sun in the same way as the existing window projects such beautiful colours into the church.

“It should enhance the beauty of the church.”

According to the plans, the cost will be covered by local donor Mr Pete Vines and local artist Mr Peter Berry provided the provisional design.