Homes plan on former police station site rejected

Plans to build 17 homes on the site of a former police station have been rejected after concerns over design, sustainability and environmental impact.

Developers Woodsome Estates had sought permission to expand an existing eight-home scheme on Wood Lane in Chippenham.

However, Wiltshire Council called the planned site layout for an additional nine homes "cramped and contrived" and said it failed to "promote active travel."

Concerns were also raised over rear gardens not meeting size requirements and allocated parking being too far from homes.

The council also described the plans as having "poor sustainability credentials."

The decision report stated that the loss of trees on the site would harm biodiversity and that the application failed to show how it would "protect or enhance the natural environment."

While planning permission had already been granted for a smaller development, the additional nine homes were considered unsuitable for the site, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The developer has six months to lodge an appeal with the Secretary of State for the Environment.

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