A PLANNING application for a new wedding venue just outside Westbury has been refused by Wiltshire Council, on the grounds of unsuitable access via a narrow single track road, and concerns that the venue would be detrimental to the setting of the area.
The applicants were a local family from Dilton Marsh, who wanted to create a family home and a new rural enterprise. Their plans involved the conversion of two barns to holiday accommodation and a new wedding venue building with the appearance of a traditional attractive barn. The Grade II* listed farmhouse was to be restored and extended for use as a family home. Ancillary works included parking and a new driveway approach to the house, as well as a public footpath diversion, and landscaping works.
The applicants hoped the project at Dilton Vale Farm, Old Dilton Road, would bring “significant direct and indirect benefits to the local rural economy”, as well as removing unattractive barns and creating an income to restore and upkeep the listed building. However, local residents and both Westbury Town Council and Dilton Marsh Parish Council objected to the development.
Westbury Town Council objected to the “totally inadequate” access, increase in traffic and noise, diversion of footpaths, and the effect on a popular equestrian route. Dilton Marsh Parish Council objected to the poor access, noise impact on neighbouring projects and disturbance of the “tranquil rural environment” and the diversion of public footpaths.
The highways officer for Wiltshire Council recommended refusal of the application on transport sustainability and highway safety grounds. English Heritage also opposed the application as “detrimental to the beautiful and isolated rural setting of Dilton Vale Farmhouse.”
