Portway House, Old Sarum Park, Old Sarum, Salisbury, SP4 6EB

1. 1.On the basis of the information submitted, the proposal fails to demonstrate that acceptable living conditions can be achieved for future occupiers, particularly in relation to night time noise impacts from surrounding commercial activity. The submission does not demonstrate that acceptable living conditions can be achieved for future occupiers in accordance with Wiltshire Council guidance, ProPG, BS 8233, BS 4142, or the Noise Policy Statement for England. The proposal therefore fails criterion (d) which requires the LPA to determine whether the prior approval of the authority will be required for the impacts of noise from commercial premises and the existing airfield uses on the intended occupiers of the development. The site is situated within a Principal Employment Area, which is retained in the Wiltshire Core Strategy for a full range of employment purposes. The submitted Noise Impact Assessment demonstrates that the site is affected by frequent and significant night time noise disturbance, including a very high number of LAmax exceedances, substantial BS4142 rating level exceedances above background, and average noise levels requiring mitigation. The assessment does not clearly identify or control the sources of disturbance and relies predominantly on façade based mitigation to achieve internal compliance. The proposal is considered to introduce a highly noise sensitive residential use into an established and allocated commercial area and airfield. The mitigation strategy relies on façade attenuation measures, with no meaningful consideration of source control, operational restrictions, or wider site based mitigation. This approach does not align with the mitigation hierarchy set out in ProPG or with Wiltshire Council’s requirements for good acoustic design. In turn, the LPA considers that the proposal would increase the likelihood of future noise complaints from residents, placing unreasonable pressure on existing lawful commercial operations and the occupiers of existing airfield buildings (such as the hangar very close to the southern corner of the site) contrary to the principles of the agent of change. The proposals are therefore considered to be unacceptable in this regard and fail the requirements of criterion (g) which requires the LPA to determine whether the prior approval of the authority will be required for the impact on intended occupiers of the development of the introduction of residential use in an area the authority considers to be important for general or heavy industry, waste management, storage and distribution, or a mix of such uses.
2. 2.The site is located within the Old Sarum Conservation Area. The building forms part of the Army School of Cooperation complex in the Administrative character area of the CA, as described in the 2006 designation report. The proposed change of use would introduce a residential use into an otherwise entirely commercial area (designated as a Principal Employment Area) and would end the long-term administrative use of the building. Daytime activity and night time vacancy would be reversed, making this the only building occupied overnight. Public perception of an accessible office building is very different to private, inaccessible residences. The loss of the more publicly accessible administrative use would by itself fail to preserve the existing character of the Conservation Area, to the detriment of its sustainability. The introduction of associated residential paraphernalia and activities would also be contrary to the established commercial character of the Conservation Area, further undermining its historically commercial character and function. The NPPF confirms that when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation (and the more important the asset, the greater the weight should be). It makes clear that any harm to a designated heritage asset requires clear and convincing justification. The change of use would fail to preserve the character and significance of the Old Sarum Conservation Area, contrary to the aims of The 1990 Act and the NPPF and is inadequately justified. The development would therefore fail criterion (e) which requires the LPA to determine whether the prior approval of the authority will be required for the impact on the character or sustainability of the conservation area. The prior approval of the Local Planning Authority is therefore required in respect of criteria MA.2.(d), (e) and (g) of Schedule 2 Pt. 3 Class MA of the GPDO as amended and this prior approval is refused. The officer report setting out the representation(s) received from the relevant consultee(s) is attached. This should be used to inform any further application for either prior approval or full planning permission.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

SP4 6EB

Application type

Prior Approval Part 3, Class MA: Commercial, business and service uses to dwellinghouses

Scale / size

Large

Number of dwellings

20

Parish

Laverstock & Ford CP

Date validated

20 January 2026

Consultation expiry

28 April 2026

Consultation end

28 April 2026

Target decision date

27 May 2026

Case officer

Becky Jones

Statutory period

127 days

Documents

23