Town councillors maintained their strong opposition to more than 200 homes on land west of Westbury Road after a previous application was thrown out at planning appeal.
Warminster residents returned to voice their objection sharing their frustration with the Planning Advisory Committee on Monday 16th February.
Concerns have previous been raised to the Barratt Homes application over flooding, sewage management, public safety, and the character of the town potentially being distorted.
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Cllr Bill Parks, alongside seven residents spoke in objection to the latest planning application. Bill Parks has previously represented residents and town councillors when the planning held a Public Inquiry in October 2024.
The Planning Advisory Committee has been “vehemently against this proposal from the start” after planning permission was refused by Wiltshire Council in 2024, and by the Planning Inspectorate the following year due to flooding fears.
Town councillors unanimously agreed with frustrated residents and maintained their strong opposition – objecting to the latest application on 16 grounds on Monday 16th February.
Cllr Phil Keeble said: “The Westbury Road application has been unanimously rejected for numerous planning reasons not least around flooding and flood management which have still not been properly addressed.
“It was good to be able to listen to the concerns and comments of the residents and together with our own research and knowledge of the sites form a position supported by sound planning reasons to present to Wiltshire Council.
“It is important to keep this committees reasons and comments based on planning law in order to carry sufficient weight with Wiltshire Council and I think we achieved that whilst balancing the passionate views of the public.
“These kind of speculative developments emphasises the need for all Warminster residents to get behind our draft Neighbourhood Plan comprising Housing Site Allocation which will give legal protections against developers’ speculative proposals such as this one, not just on any named sites but for the whole of Warminster.”
Members resolved to object to the application on the following grounds:
1. This is a new application, yet the proposers refer to it as a resubmission. There has been no engagement with the public as required and the applicant relies of consultation from 2021, since when there have been significant changes in residents.
2. Land for a community centre is offered as a sweetener, but it is obvious it will not be built. The town council have indicated they will not fund it, as like the rest of the site, it is in the wrong location. There is no evidence of demand from residents or viability of the proposal. It typifies a lack of proper engagement with the community by the developers.
3. The proposed development is contrary to the National and Local Planning Policy. The development sits outside the Settlement Policy Boundary.
4. There is a protected verge that would be adversely affected by the development.
5. There is great biodiversity in this area and protected species which would be adversely affected by the development.
6. The proposed development will have a negative impact on the amenity of other residents by increasing the risk of flooding elsewhere in the town. It is feared that the modelling by the Environment Agency is outdated and not accurate enough for the specific circumstances of the site.
7. The proposed development falls within flood zone 2 & 3. There will be a loss of water courses leading to increased flooding across Warminster, where the sewerage system currently struggles to cope. Wessex Water have already reported that there is a significant rise in water levels in the area. The recreational areas mentioned within the proposal are situated in the zone 3 areas. This would render them boggy and unusable at regular intervals.
8. The development will cause traffic problems such as traffic generation, access and safety problems. There would be increased cross town traffic due to the need of access to services that sit on the opposite side of town, bringing gridlock to the already congested town centre.
9. This development should not be permitted on land outside the Policy Settlement Boundary, as other land is available and allocated for housing in the area. Allowing it would create a dangerous precedent, encouraging development up to the bypass.
10. The layout and density of the proposed development is inappropriate and does not fit with the existing housing.
11. The proposed development will adversely affect the vista of and from the hills which are a key cultural and heritage feature of Warminster.
12. The type of housing proposed will not satisfy local housing needs. The ‘affordable housing’ proposed is beyond the reach of those in housing need.
13. Loss of agricultural land
14. Warm 16 is unsuitable for the role allotted to it – for people to access schools and facilities in town. It is narrow, unlit, regularly overgrown, unsuitable for people with disabilities. Inevitably it will drive people into private cars.
The objection will now be submitted to the planning authority at Wiltshire Council. The comments from Warminster Town Council are only advisory, any decision on whether to grant planning permission and any associated conditions will be made by Wiltshire Council.
For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk
Last modified: 17 February 2026
