PLANS to convert the old police station on Station Road into housing have now been withdrawn by the applicant; town councillors said previously that the loss of a popular lay-by in the centre of town could see even more cars being parked on Westbury streets.
Developer Gainsborough Group Construction Ltd submitted plans in December to convert the building on 7 Station Road into six apartments, with a parking provision of one space per proposed flat, with two visitor spaces. As part of the plans, the lay-by at the front of the building would be turned into parking for the proposed development, but councillors in Westbury said that this move would result in the loss of a ‘well-used’ layby.
Councillors voted to object to the plans when it was discussed at a meeting of the highways, planning and development committee in December and the plans were subsequently withdrawn.
In a written response to the plans, Westbury Town Council said, “Car parking at the front of Station Road, as suggested in the design and access statement, will mean the loss of an often-used layby and will lead to ‘on street’ car parking, contrary to this council’s long-term strategy of reclaiming the street for walking and cycling purposes.
“Westbury Town Council agrees that the loss of the existing highway lay-by will result in on street parking and interrupting the flow of traffic, prejudicing road safety.”
Speaking about the plans at the meeting, cllr Mike Sutton said, “The loss of that lay-by would be very detrimental; everyone that knows Station Road knows that most of the parking is on the opposite side and that lay-by offers an escape route for some residents. You also have the nearby care home that generates plenty of traffic and parking itself.
“We desperately want more single unit accommodation such as this in the town to offer more places to younger or single people, but I’m not sure this provides the answer.”
In their plans the Gainsborough Group said, “The development is proposed in the car park to the rear of the former police station. The existing garage will be demolished to make way for the flats, which have been designed so as to make the most efficient use of this brownfield site, which is sited within the development boundary of Westbury.
“The proposal has been designed to minimise overlooking and overshadowing and to provide properties that accord with building regulations and national space standards and above all, fit within the context of local development in terms of style and scale.
“The approved dwellings at the front of the property, within the former police building, have large front gardens and it is proposed that parking will be provided for these dwellings directly off the road.”
To view the plans in full search PL/2023/09807 on the planning section of Wiltshire Council’s website.
