Concerns raised over conversion plans for former Warminster Road shop

Plans to convert a former shop on Warminster Road into four flats have been formally objected to by the town council, which has raised concerns over parking and access.

The application, initially submitted in July, proposes transforming 1 Warminster Road, previously a motor services shop, into residential dwellings. In their proposal, the applicant highlighted a decline in the area’s commercial viability and an increased demand for residential accommodation, stating, “The building has a history of commercial use but has faced challenges in attracting tenants.”

A local resident posted on the planning portal, expressing concerns about the suitability of the property for such a conversion, commenting, “Four flats seems excessive to a property that has limited parking (at present two spaces to the side) and nowhere to put other parking spaces. This former shop is on a sharp corner and car access would be dangerous at times due to the speed of the traffic.”

In August, the town council initially raised no objections, provided that conditions related to parking, the number of vehicles accessing the premises and issues with deliveries and loading were met.

However, after revised plans were submitted in October, councillors re-examined the application at a recent highways, planning and development committee meeting. Cllr Jane Russ remarked that the updated plans “did nothing to advance on what we said last time.” Councillors concluded that the applicant had not addressed the council’s initial concerns.

Updating their comments on the planning portal, the council stated, “We remain strongly concerned about the issues of parking, access, and loading. We therefore now wish to amend our previous no objection (from 20th August 2024) and now formally object to the application.”

Wiltshire Council is expected to make a final decision on the application this month.