The UK is in a housing crisis, with many existing and emerging households unable to find a new home.  The Government has placed building new homes at the heart of its policy agenda, challenging Councils and the development industry to build 300,000 homes every year.  Councils across England are also required to make sure they plan for enough homes.  Warminster is no exception to this, with people in the area urgently needing new homes.  Unfortunately, Wiltshire Council does not have enough homes being planned.  In these circumstances, national planning policy encourages planning applications that are otherwise acceptable to be approved.

The adopted Local Plan for the Warminster area is out of date.  The emerging replacement Local Plan has been at Examination since November 2024 and is subject to some delays.  The independent Inspectors examining the draft Local Plan have suggested that significant additional land is needed to meet the Council’s housing requirement.

The Warminster Neighbourhood Plan is also at an early stage, with the draft plan being published for consultation in January 2026.  The Neighbourhood Plan is required to be in general conformity with the Local Plan.  Given the delays to the emerging Local Plan, it is not known when the Neighbourhood Plan will be examined and made. 

It is our view that the planning application would not undermine either the Local Plan or the Neighbourhood Plan. 

The outline planning application proposes up to 49 homes.  This is based upon a comprehensive assessment of the site’s constraints and opportunities, consideration of the local housing needs and an illustrative layout.  In preparing this, there is a need to balance an understanding of the local character and context, alongside making best use of the land through developing at appropriate densities.

There will be a mix of homes and sizes to meet identified need and demand, including a range of affordable housing. 

Open Space and areas for play are proposed to meet a range of recreational needs.

In accordance with the emerging Local Plan, 30% of the total dwellings will be provided as affordable homes, which will include a range of social rent and shared ownership properties.  This mix will be agreed with the Council’s Housing Officers.

The design and appearance of the new homes and open space will be considered following the approval of this outline planning application.  At this stage, we will consider again all the comments received.  We will also look to consult the community once again to seek further feedback and to influence the final outcome of the development. 

An assessment of the likely impacts of the proposed development has been undertaken, including on the local road network.  This assessment has considered how people will travel and the potential impacts on the transport network.

Alongside any road improvements, financial contributions toward footpaths, cycleways and public transport may be required by Wiltshire Council.  These would be secured through a s106 agreement attached to the outline planning permission.

It is anticipated that once all the necessary approvals are in place, construction will take approximately 2 years.  During this time, construction traffic and the construction process, including hours of operation, will be managed and controlled through a Construction and Environmental Management Plan, which will be agreed with Wiltshire Council.

An assessment of the capacity of local community facilities will be based on the latest Wiltshire Infrastructure Delivery Plan.  We will undertake our own assessments to identify the latest situation and needs, for example school capacity.  The Local Education Authority, Local Health Board, Town Council and other interested parties will be able to make comments on the planning application.  If particular needs for improvements to local facilities are considered necessary by Wiltshire Council, these would be secured through the s106 agreement attached to the outline planning permission.

Any infrastructure improvements required alongside the new development will be secured through a s106 agreement.  This will also identify the phasing of any infrastructure improvements or financial contributions. 

Since February 2024, all developments are required to secure a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain.  This ensures that biodiversity is improved with any new development. 

The application site is not at risk of fluvial flooding.  The proposed development, however, will need to provide a sustainable drainage system that complies with the relevant standards.  A drainage strategy has been submitted with the planning application which demonstrates the approach to drainage proposed.  Further details will be provided with the detailed Reserved Matters submissions following the grant of outline permission.

Current Building Regulations, alongside national and local planning policy and design guidance require every property to meet the highest environmental standards.  This includes:

• Low carbon energy efficient heating resulting in reduced emissions, including solar panels where necessary

• Fabric efficiency through superior insulation, airtightness and energy efficient doors and windows, reducing the energy needed for heating and cooling

• Water efficiency to reduce consumption

• Improved ventilation and overheating mitigation to create healthier, more comfortable homes without the need for air conditioning

• Encouraging walking and cycling, alongside access to public transport; as a preference to the use of the private car

• Orientation of properties to take advantage of passive solar gain

 The combination of all of these measures directly supports the UK’s legally binding target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, whilst helping households with the cost of living and reducing energy demand.

The proposed development would result in the following benefits:

• Delivery of much needed homes;

• Delivery of much needed affordable housing;

• Provision of planting, green infrastructure, open space and play space, complementing the Smallbrook Meadows Nature Reserve;

• Biodiversity net gain of at least 10%;

• Improvements to local transport and community infrastructure, as delivered through the s106 agreement and CIL contributions;

• Job creation in the construction sector;

• Increased local expenditure to the local economy, including supply chains for the construction of the Proposed Development.

Yes.  We value your feedback on the proposed development.  The purpose of this website, alongside the wider engagement, is to enable all those interested to be informed of the proposed development and to provide their feedback.  All comments received will be shared with Wiltshire Council.

The submitted planning application is in “outline”, meaning that all matters of design, layout, appearance, quantum of development, alongside technical details of construction are all matters that will be prepared following the grant of the outline permission, taking account of all the comments received.

This consultation will end on 30th June 2026.  Following this, we will review all the comments made, sharing these with Wiltshire Council.  We will also review any comments made directly to the Council.

Backhouse and the consultant team appointed for this development proposal will carefully review every comment and determine how they can each be taken on board in the current application or in the future detailed design process.

If outline planning permission is granted, further details will be submitted through applications for Reserved Matters or discharge of conditions.  These, where appropriate, will be subject to further consultation by Wiltshire Council.  

This application is submitted to Wiltshire Council, who are required to make a decision.  If they refuse this application, or do not make a decision within the agreed timescales, Backhouse Housing has the option to submit an appeal to the Secretary of State, who would appoint an independent Inspector to make a decision on their behalf. 

If you wish to be kept informed of the proposed development, then please complete a feedback form and let us know that you wish to be kept informed, providing your details.  We will then email you with updates at key stages.  We will ensure all contact details are only kept and used for this purpose, in accordance with GDPR requirements.

Alternatively, you can continue to visit this website, or the application page on Wiltshire Councils website.