Green space saved as housing plans refused

Residents campaigning to protect a Warminster green space are celebrating after plans for 49 new homes were refused, following a five-year campaign.

Plans for 49 homes on land off Damask Way, next to Smallbrook Meadows Nature Reserve, faced strong opposition from residents who warned the development would damage wildlife habitats, disrupt routes used by rare species and threaten a popular rural walking route.

Earlier this year, Sustainable Warminster launched a petition opposing the development, which attracted more than 1,000 signatures.

The group previously gathered more than 3,500 signatures against plans for 28 homes on the same site. That application was withdrawn in 2023.

Wiltshire Council refused the planning application, from Backhouse Ltd, on eight grounds, including concerns about highway safety, traffic, flooding, drainage, ecology and biodiversity.

The council said there was insufficient information to assess flood risk and surface-water drainage, and it could not rule out harm to the River Avon Special Area of Conservation.

Sustainable Warminster members, Clare and Tim Hancock, said, “We are hugely relieved that this application has been refused and common sense has prevailed. It was refused on eight counts so that shows how inappropriate it would have been to build on this pocket of paradise.

“The field is already home to many species of important wildlife and needs to be left this way. We and many other people from Sustainable Warminster and local residents have been fighting against this for many years.”

Wildlife charity Buglife had also called for the application to be refused, citing records of species including the small heath butterfly and rugged oil beetle at the site. A rare pink grasshopper was also recently spotted by local campaigners.

Councillor Barry Pirie said the refusal was positive news for residents and highlighted the importance of protecting green spaces. He said, “I welcome the planning officer’s refusal. The decision is positive news for local residents and reflects the importance of protecting valued green spaces while ensuring that future development is sustainable and in the right location.

“I would like to thank everyone in the community who took the time to engage with the process and make their views known. As a local Warminster councillor, I remain committed to supporting appropriate development that meets local needs while safeguarding the character and environment of Warminster.”