Two flats approved at Westbury restaurant

A plan to convert part of a Westbury Chinese restaurant into two flats has been approved by Wiltshire Council. 

The proposal includes a part-conversion of the New Champion restaurant premises on Warminster Road into two one-bedroom flats. The ground floor of the two-storey building is currently used as a fish and chip shop and Chinese restaurant. The restaurant area will be converted, while the remaining part of the ground floor will continue to operate as a takeaway, according to the planning officer’s report. 

Prior to approval, concerns about potential noise disturbance had been raised by Wiltshire Council’s Public Protection Officer due to the proximity of the proposed flats to both the operational takeaway and a busy road. 

A planning officer said, “We have reviewed the submitted Noise Impact Assessment and are satisfied that, subject to the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures, an acceptable level of residential amenity can be achieved for the proposed dwellings. 

“On this basis, we raise no objection to the proposed change of use.” 

Wiltshire Council granted prior approval subject to conditions, meaning the noise mitigation measures must be carried out in full. No major external changes will be made to the building, aside from removing the existing restaurant signage. 

The conversion work must be completed by June 2029.