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Marlborough News

• Plans for planes at new barn

  Objectors to plans for a dual purpose barn on the Lower Upham airstrip at Ogbourne St George fear it could lead to an increase in the number of aircraft taking off and landing. read more

• Marlborough students get into the Olympic spirit

  Sixth Form students studying for the International Baccalaureate Diploma at St John's School in Marlborough will visit Bath University tomorrow (Wednesday) to meet members of the GB Olympic Team as part of a group Science project. read more

• Former Marlborough gap year student’s funds bid

  Student Ed Werrell will spend his gap year teaching underprivileged children in Uganda. read more

• St John's students on African trip

  Ten students from St John’s School and Marl-borough College are spending the next month working in the town’s link community in West Africa. Accompanied by three adult leaders, they will spend the next four weeks in Gunjur in the Gambia and will be the 16th group to work in the African village since 1985. The link between the two villages was pioneered by Marlborough Brandt Group and its founder and president Dr Nick Maurice said: “During their time in Gunjur the group will be experiencing daily life in the village and learning about the very different culture and faith.” They will talk about the project on August 20 at 7.30pm in the town hall. read more

• Battle over Caffe Nero in Marlborough

  Wiltshire planning officers are being accused of caving in to coffee giant Caffe Nero, which opened in Marlborough without change of use consent. Officers are recommending that councillors tonight give the firm retrospective planning permission for the High Street premises, which began trading in April. The Chamber of Commerce had objected, saying there were already enough coffee shops in the town and the arrival of another chain would hit independents. Mark Waring-Jones, who runs Applebys cafe in Hughenden Yard, said his worst fears had been confirmed and his takings had tailed off since Caffe Nero opened. He accused planning officers of caving in to Caffe Nero, which accompanied its planning application in March with a letter from its planning consultant saying the firm had won appeals in other market towns and believed it would in Marlborough. Some objections were based on a refusal by the former Kennet District planners for a similar cafe application made in 2009 for the former Age of Elegance gift shop. The applicants appealed, but the inspector dismissed it using a local plan policy that said retail premises would not normally be given change of use consent. However the same planning officers, now based at Wiltshire Council, support the Caffe Nero application. Marlborough councillor Nick Fogg called it in and East Wiltshire planning committee will make a ruling tonight. In their report, the officers say “little hard evidence” was offered by either side at the 2009 appeal. Regarding the Caffe Nero application, they say: “Because that outlet is up and running and has been the subject of survey work by both officers and the applicant, it is known that outlet is attracting a level of clientele that is not indicative of a dead frontage.” The officers say the fact the coffee shop was busy was evidence “it has shown to make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the town”. Coun Stewart Dobson, a member of the town council planning committee, said: “There are more than enough coffee outlets in the town already. “I would hope that if there is an important planning issue like this that Wiltshire Council, even in these difficult financial times, would fight an appeal if necessary.” read more

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