Water Farm, Corsley, Warminster, BA12 7QD

1. 1.The proposed development by reason of the volume, scale and height of the proposed extensions to the original building, functionally and aesthetically overwhelm the existing built form and fail to preserve the original character and appearance of the rural building and its setting. This would be contrary to Core Policy 48(i) of the Wiltshire Core Strategy which allows for conversion and re-use of rural buildings with only necessary extension or modification which preserves the character of the original building. The proposed scale, bulk, mass, form, rooflines and design of the proposed development would fail to take account of the characteristics of the site and would not respond positively to the existing townscape and landscape features of the site or the original building, and the proposed development does not respect the character of the existing building and would not effectively integrate the building into its setting resulting in demonstrable adverse impact on the character and appearance of the existing host building and site. The proposal fails to preserve or enhance its sensitive landscape setting and the proposed development would be unduly harmful to the character of the landscape. As a result the proposal is contrary to Core Policies 51 and 57 (i), (iii) and (vi). The site is located in the open countryside outside of any defined settlement boundary and in an unsustainable location where new residential development would not be permitted without exceptional justification. Such development, if permitted, would be tantamount to the construction of a new dwelling in the countryside where exceptional circumstances in respect of the conversion and re-use of existing buildings are not demonstrated and as such the proposal conflicts with the settlement and delivery strategy for new housing and is contrary to Core Policies 1, 2, 31 and 48, of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 with particular regard to Section 5, paragraphs 82 to 84, which collectively aim to provide housing in a sensitive and sustainable manner other than where an exception can be demonstrated.
2. 2.In the absence of an ecological enhancement plan or proposed drawings demonstrating the necessary ecological mitigation and enhancement measures (including dark corridor, bird and bat boxes, swallow nest cups, and replacement roost), the development does not demonstrate no net loss of biodiversity on site and therefore is contrary to Core Policy 50 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and National Planning Policy Framework with particular reference to paragraphs 187 (d), 192, 193 and 195. The absence of plans showing agreed mitigation for the loss of the bat roost means that the LPA are unable to undertake a HRA and the development therefore fails to meet the Habitat Regulations in this regard.
3. 3.The site lies within an area identified in Wiltshire Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment as being at risk of surface water flooding and at high risk of groundwater flooding. No FRA has been submitted and as such, the proposal fails to demonstrate an appropriate drainage strategy for the development and how flood risk will be appropriately managed on site and prevent increased risk of flooding off site. The proposal is therefore contrary to Core Policy 67 and the National Planning Policy Framework with particular regard to paragraphs 164, 170, 176 and 181.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

BA12 7QD

Application type

Full planning permission

Scale / size

Medium

Parish

Chapmanslade CP;Corsley CP

Date validated

6 November 2024

Consultation expiry

11 December 2024

Consultation end

11 December 2024

Target decision date

10 January 2025

Statutory period

65 days

Documents

16