Land North of West Street, Great Somerford, Chippenham, SN15 5EH

1. 1.The proposed development would result in the loss of an undeveloped field frontage which forms a historic and visually important break in built development along West Street which contribute positively to the character and appearance of the Great Somerford Conservation Area. The proposed development in the proposed location would harm the significance of the Conservation Area and the scheme therefore conflicts with section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, heritage aims of the National Planning Policy Framework and Core Policy 58 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy.
2. 2.The application site lies adjacent to Grade II listed Manor Farmhouse and its historic garden boundary wall. The undeveloped nature of the site forms part of the setting of the listed building and contributes to its significance. The proposed development fails to adequately assess or demonstrate the acceptability of the impact of the development on the setting of the listed building. The proposed development therefore fails the statutory duty under section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to pay special regard to the desirability of preserving the listed building or its setting, and is contrary to heritage aims of the National Planning Policy Framework and Core Policy 58 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy.
3. 3.The application site forms part of Neighbourhood Development Plan designated Local Green Space (LGS7). Evidence from public representations and site observations confirms that the proposed location for the development remains demonstrably special to the local community, providing an accessible and well- used green space valued for recreation, social interaction, tranquility, and for maintaining openness and green gaps within the village. While the proposal would not result in the loss of the entirety of the Local Green Space, the part affected is of high visual and functional importance. The proposed development in the proposed location would therefore result in permanent and irreversible harm to the value and function of the Local Green Space which could not be adequately mitigated through landscaping or design measures. The proposal cannot reasonably be construed as limited infilling for the purposes of paragraph 154 of the National Planning Policy Framework and, in the absence of clearly demonstrated very special circumstances, the scheme is contrary to local green space aims of the National Planning Policy Framework and unacceptable in principle.

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

SN15 5EH

Application type

Permission in Principle

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Great Somerford CP

Date validated

10 March 2026

Consultation expiry

1 April 2026

Consultation end

1 April 2026

Target decision date

14 April 2026

Case officer

Isobella Wise

Statutory period

35 days

Documents

4