Site Allocation Update

Warminster Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group continue to progress the Neighbourhood Plan by considering the allocation of sites for housing.

The allocation of sites allows communities to decide the most appropriate locations for new homes. By identifying and allocating sites in the Neighbourhood Plan, Warminster can:

• direct development to places where it will have the most benefit and least harm

  
  

• secure community benefits such as affordable housing, green spaces and improved local infrastructure

  
  

• influence the design and layout of future developments

  
  

• demonstrate to the Planning Inspectorate and developers that the local area is taking its responsibilities seriously.

Planning law essentially gives Neighbourhood Plans that include site allocation, five years of protection against speculative or unplanned development. The Steering Group is keen to achieve this protection for Warminster. To do this the Neighbourhood Plan must allocate land for around 90 new houses up to 2038. 

Fifteen potential development sites were put forward by landowners. These sites all underwent a technical assessment of suitability for housing. The Steering Group shortlisted three potential sites - Ashley Coombe/Fanshaw Way, the Yew Tree Pub and the Land East of The Dene.

Following the informal public consultation earlier in the year, the site promoters for Ashley Coombe/Fanshaw Way have changed their proposal which has led the Steering Group to withdraw their support for the site. The Steering Group has also met with representatives of the East Boreham Residents Actions Group (EBRAG) to hear their concerns about the Land East of The Dene site.

The Steering Group are keen to emphasise that even when a community chooses not to allocate sites, the probability is that development will still occur. Developers will still submit planning applications and even if they are refused, they will most likely be granted on appeal.

There is more discussion to come and there will be several further stages in the process, including a formal public consultation later in the year. An independent planning inspector will then consider the entire Warminster Neighborhood Plan and make recommendations and following this, there will be a referendum for residents to decide whether to adopt the Plan.

Steering Group Chairman, Councillor Phil Keeble, said: “The decisions made in Neighbourhood Planning are not easy. They involve balancing competing priorities, listening to a wide range of voices and making choices that will shape the future of the community.

“Nothing has yet been set in stone, we are still listening and gathering evidence, and I urge everyone to make their voice heard in the next few months.”

Thank you for your interest in the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan review

If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with the Town Council. You can email admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk, or call 01985 214847.