Nine new homes could be constructed on the edge of a Wiltshire village if the council approves a recently submitted planning application.
According to the application, the dwellings would likely all be detached family homes and would be located on the northern boundary of Rowde.
The plans describe the site as “underutilised greenfield land that would be appropriate for residential development within this community”.
READ MORE: Wiltshire village celebrates 'victory' over refused planning application
It is also noted that although the development may “elongate” the settlement to the north, such a “modest elongation” would not cause any adverse impact, as “the site is within safe walking distance of services and facilities and the settlement pattern is irregular such that it can withstand elongation by nine dwellings in this direction”.
The application was submitted by Ensight Solutions on behalf of the landowners and Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision by the beginning of January 2025.
In other planning news, We Buy Any Car has received retrospective permission for the use of a section of Trowbridge Rugby Club car park for car sales.
It has also been given the go-ahead for a standalone office building.
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The case officer report stated: “Whilst the retrospective nature of this application is very disappointing, the merits and effects of the application proposal must be fully considered.
“As set out above, officers have concluded that the modest office pod and land use would not result in material harm, and it does not conflict with the policies of the development plan.”
In September, the council refused an application from Trowbridge Rugby Club to use nearby land as an overflow car park, referring to the “ongoing unauthorised use of the site” by We Buy Any Car.
It wrote: “The proposals for further diversification and additional, yet unjustified, parking led the Council to conclude that the best way forward is via a comprehensive application, fully supported by technical reports, to justify the range of additional uses to which the Rugby Club clearly aspire.”
Over at the nearby John of Gaunt School, Wiltshire Council has approved a new modular classroom block providing 12 classrooms.
The application explains that the existing modular classrooms, which will be removed have “reached the end of their viability”, as they are “poorly insulted” and “dilapidated”.
The application read: “The proposal provides a much-needed improvement to the classrooms provided by the existing modular buildings, with improvements in the general aesthetics, thermal comfort and access arrangements.
“It also increases the number of classrooms on the site allowing for improved options, whilst consolidating a number of dispersed classrooms into one centrally located building.
“There are also benefits relating to SEN accommodation for the wider Unitary Authority of Wilshire.
“The proposal is wholly positive improving the overall site and allowing the school to continue to provide a good standard of education to the pupils.”
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Also approved this week was a new artificial grass pitch at Forest and Sandridge Primary School in Melksham.
The application noted it would “contribute to the improvement of sporting and recreational facilities” at the school and will provide “increased usage in comparison to the existing grassed playing field”.
According to the plans, the current grass playing field is currently “unusable due to a design fault”, leaving nowhere for the pupils to play sport or host sport days.
Although the new artificial grass pitch will not be floodlit due to its proximity with the local houses, it will be available for external users and local clubs to hire out of school hours at a rate of £60/hr.
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