WILTSHIRE Council has refused a scheme to build 35 houses on land to the west of Boreham Mill in Warminster.

At a planning committee meeting at County Hall on Wednesday (April 6), the development was refused on the grounds that it would cause ‘coalescence’ between Warminster and Bishopstrow and due to its proximity to the River Wylye.

The planning committee voted 7:4 to turn down the application from HPH Ltd.

Cllr Andrew Davis, who opposed the application, said: “I am very pleased at the outcome, although I’m sure it won’t be the end of it as chairman Cllr Christopher Newbury mentioned."

“The field on which they plan to build is the main piece of land between Warminster and Bishopstrow.

“Bishopstrow don’t want to lose their identity, and this development would go against that and cause coalescence.

“There was also plenty of objection from residents living next to the field, who I know will also be very happy with the result.”

Concerns were also raised from councillors and members of the public that the field is a vital floodplain for the River Wylye, which runs next to it and has a history of flooding.

Lindsay Holdoway, managing director of HPH Ltd, said: “We are disappointed that after many years of working with Wiltshire Council, and despite officers’ recommendation for approval, this unique scheme of sustainable, custom-build housing has been refused by the Western Area Planning Committee.

“Following on from the initial approval granted by the same council in 2014, which was overturned due to an error on the part of one councillor, we have continued to work closely with Wiltshire Council officers to provide a thorough and robust application.

"We were reassured that the committee accepted the technical advice from their officers and the various agencies in respect of matters such as drainage, flood risk and ecology although they eventually decided to refuse consent on two questions of planning policy.

“Whilst there have been objections, people seeking to purchase their own property, whether an affordable or a sustainable family home, are not represented and are not heard in situations like this.

“Our scheme has been designed to showcase an alternative form of housing delivery whereby future occupiers commission their own homes, this would be in contrast to speculative delivery by large house builders.

"The scheme also fits with new Government legislation that promotes custom and self-build housing and was an opportunity for Wiltshire to be at the leading edge of this initiative.

“In light of the refusal we will now consider the options for our land at Boreham Mead.”