Great Western Way: When McDonald's reopens its drive-thru restaurants on Great Western Way they should have improved signage.

The restaurant chain has been given permission for two identical applications to install new digital signs at its Bridgemead and Cockleberry branches. The chain said the four new menu screens to allow drivers to make a choice before approaching the window and a booth screen would mean it needs fewer signs.

Haydon Wick: The access and parking arrangements needed for a new development of 14 houses in Haydon Wick have been approved by planners at Euclid Street.

It means the plan by Woodcote Homes to convert the derelict barn at Haydon Farm (pictured) into four houses and build another 10 on an empty plot in what is now a densely inhabited area can move forward.

The developer’s plans show a new road will be extended from Lucetta Rise off Sandbourne Road, with houses either side, and the two barns on the site converted into two houses apiece.

Stratton St Margaret: Ferhat Yilmaz will be able to sell hot food from a van in a business estate off Hobley Drive. He has been given permission top place his van in the car park opposite the Equality Trade Centre.

Under the granted planning permission Mr Ferhat may trade between 9am and 11pm seven days a week, but he has been advised to obtain a street-trading licence from the council as well.

Blunsdon: Objections from residents in Berton Close against a plan to build three houses in the back garden of two properties in Malthouse Close have held sway.

The plan to build the three houses behind number 14 and 15 Malthouse Close was submitted by a Mr James – he had originally put in plans to build five houses on the land – but after discussions with planning officers reduced it to three.

While the houses were behind Malthouse Close they were closer and would have had access to Berton Close.

As well as neighbours, Blunsdon Parish Council objected to the scheme.

It said: "The application does not make clear that the main impacts will be in Berton Close, where parking is already a huge problem. In addition, the proposals are out of character for the area, an over intensification of the plot, detrimental to the street scene and inconsistent in terms of amenity as there are no gardens.”

Swindon Borough Council’s planning officers agreed and refused consent.

Kingshill: Hairdresser Kristina Jack anticipates no such objection from her neighbours to her plans to convert the garage of her home into a hairdressing salon.

She wants to block up some doors, change the garage doors into a more conventional double door and run plumbing into the garage for a one-chair salon, with additional seating and a separate hair-washing basin.

Ms Jack said only she will use the salon, and only on a part-time basis. She said it would operate mainly within school hours and customers would walk or use a nearby car park, with access to the garage from the back of the property.

She added: “Neighbours reacted positively on either side when I approached them about it. I don’t anticipate any objections.”

Extensions: Proposals to build extensions, conservatories or to convert garages, lofts and outbuildings into living space have been approved for: 3 Turner Street, Kingshill; 63 Sedgebrook, Liden; 15 Keycroft Copse, Peatmoor; 2 Draycot Close, Draycot Foliat; Hillcrest, Hinton Parva; 71 Chruchward Avenue, Rodbourne; 124 Southbrook Street, Rodbourne; 4 Manor Close, Blunsdon; 36 Ceres Road, Blunsdon; 25 Springlines, Wanborough and 1 Hamble Road, Haydon Wick.

An application has been lodged to build an extension at 4 Bremhill Close.