MELKSHAM: Melksham Oak Community School has been granted permission to build a new school block adjacent to existing school buildings.

The school will increase by 240 pupils and 100 sixth form students, with 22 extra staff once work is complete.

This will increase the size of the school to 1500 pupils and 240 sixth form students in total at the site.

The plans have been supported to ease the burden of extra pupils at the school, however Melksham Town Council said that the town requires a new secondary school as well as an extension.

The application also highlighted a need for better parking and road facilities after a number of neighbours to the school pointed out that pick up and drop off times often created bottlenecks around the school entrance.

Jo Eccleston, Melksham without parish officer, said: “The S106 Agreement provides funding for the creation of a rear footpath from this development to the school. It was therefore disappointing to note that this was not referred to in any significance within the Travel Plan or Transport Statement. The Parish Council wishes to reiterate its desire for Wiltshire Council to construct this footpath as soon as possible.”

TROWBRIDGE: Plans for 95 homes on land adjacent to Southwick Road and The Rank in North Bradley have been rejected. The application, by Welbeck Strategic Land II LLP was met with fierce public objection and Cllr Horace Prickett called for the decision to be referred to a planning committee. 70 letters were sent in from residents including Anna Brett of Broadley Park who said: “Development of this scale in this location would not be ‘sustainable development’ due to the lack of proper facilities in North Bradley which is described as a large village in the Wiltshire Core Strategy. The proposal is too large for local needs, will not improve employment opportunities and will place a drain on limited services.” North Bradley parish council said: “Consideration of the site by Wiltshire Council now would be premature in view of the emerging North Bradley Neighbourhood Plan which is close to being submitted.” The applicant said its aim was: “To deliver a high quality “place” which is sustainable, safe, and attractive; The masterplan provides a high quality built and landscaped design that incorporates Best Practice principles.” However it was unable to persuade planners that the site was appropriate.

DEVIZES: A semi detached house on Nursteed Road has been given permission to build a single storey extension to rear. It will be red brick to match the existing style fo the home and plans were not met with any objections by neighbours or the town council.

CALNE: Controversial plans have been approved to turn a stable building into five flats and split a cottage into two homes at Woodland social club in Woodland Park. The matter was called before a planning committee, after 30 local people wrote about the proposal.

Opinion was split, with many people accepting that housing should be built but criticising current plans. Tim Nunn said: “I have no objections to the proposed construction of flats within the old building and the houses adjacent to the wall, but to build the coach houses Right behind the residence of woodland park is totally unnecessary, the coach houses should not be built but left as perhaps car parking.” Pat Klippenstein lives next door and added: “From my kitchen window I will see no sky whatsoever and my bedrooms will look at a brick wall. This will be very oppressive and I cannot imagine how dark and dismal the long winter months will feel. I appreciate that something needs to be done with the existing site.” However councillors ruled to allow planning to be granted.

WARMINSTER: A double garage has been given permission to be built on land alongside a home in Grange Lane. Neighbour Chris Bond said: “I have concerns about the size of the proposed garage, the ability of cars to be able to access the garage and it’s orientation.”

But officers approved the plans and said: “The proposed garage is located directly behind the existing dwelling and as such would not be prominent in the street scene when entering Grange Lane from Boreham Road. The proposed garage would be higher than the existing dwelling but would not be higher than the dwelling to the North. The proposed garage would be visible from the main road, but due to its reduced height is considered to be acceptable.”