Warminster Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group [The Steering Group] continue to progress the Neighbourhood Plan by considering allocation of sites for housing.
The allocation of housing 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 the places where it will have the most benefit and least harm
• Secure community benefits such as affordable housing, green spaces, and improved local infrastructure
• Retain greater control over design and layout
• Demonstrate to the planning inspectorate and developers that the local area is taking its responsibilities seriously.
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Planning law essential gives ‘made’ Neighbourhood Plans that included housing site allocation, 5 years of protection against speculative or unplanned development.
The Steering Group is keen to get that protection for Warminster. To do this the Neighborhood Plan must allocate land for around 80 new houses up to 2038.
Fifteen sites were put forward by landowners. Following the informal public consultation earlier in the year, the Steering Group have been looking closely at three sites- Ashley Coombe/Fanshaw Way, the Yew Tree pub and the Land East of the Deane.
Discussions with the site promoters for Ashley Coombe/Fanshaw Way have led the Steering Group to withdraw their support for the site.
The Steering Group has also met with representatives for EBRAG (East Boreham Residents Actions Group) to discuss their concerns about the site East of the Dene.
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 put in planning applications and even if they are turned down, they will most likely be granted on appeal. So instead of the community having a say, the process is out of their control.
There is more discussion to come and there will be several more major stages in the process.
Formal Public consultation, most likely in the autumn, an independent Planning Inspector will then consider all the entire Neighborhood Plan and make recommendations and then there will be a referendum of local residents to decide whether to adopt the plan or not.
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.”
For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk
Last modified: 11 August 2025
