WILTSHIRE Council has refused the planning application to set up a children’s home in Wellhead Drove.
The controversial application, which proposed to change St Catherine’s from a private dwelling to a residential care home for teenagers, was turned down due to concerns over the safety of the junction of Wellhead Drove and Warminster Road.
The council say that vehicle movement resulting from the proposed development would “impede, endanger, and inconvenience other road users to the detriment of highway safety” at the junction.
Local residents voiced their concerns after the application was lodged in April, and launched a petition against the application. They cited a number of issues with the proposed development, including road concerns, the possibility of anti-social behaviour, and queried the suitability of the location.
However, others in the town responded by voicing their support for the proposed children’s home, saying that the home and the children should be given a chance.
The application was refused at the planning committee meeting in Trowbridge, a decision which local residents met with delight and relief. Margaret and Stephen Cooke, who live near St Catherine’s said, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who supported our campaign, in whatever capacity. It meant a great deal to us both that Westbury people were prepared to stand up and be counted on such a controversial issue.”
