Appeal to overturn planning application for new homes successful

A decision to overturn a planning application rejection for new homes in Devizes will now mean land is advertised for sale by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) successfully appealed a decision made by Wiltshire Council’s planning committee, which voted to reject the application in summer last year.

The Planning Inspectorate confirmed in March the appeal had been successful and permission has now been granted for up to 57 new homes on land between Parkfields and Quakers Walk – with marketing of the land starting in the last week.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “While we understood the concerns of residents and councillors, and listened intently to them, the Parkfields site has been identified for a number of years for disposal as it is not required for policing purposes.

“As responsible neighbours, we discussed our intentions extensively for over a year with local residents and stakeholders. By listening, we subsequently improved these plans following those discussions and reduced the number of homes on the site significantly.

“With all public assets, the OPCC is obliged to seek the best value for Wiltshire residents and any return on the land sale will be reinvested in vital policing services for the public.

“We are pleased the Planning Inspectorate was able to assess the merits of our application, balance it with residents’ views, and agree the application met local development priorities. This development will provide key local amenities, such as housing. We will now move to dispose of the land so that we are able to continue to invest in the county’s police service.”

Any disposal of Wiltshire Police assets is part of the PCC’s Estates Strategy, which is informed by operational policing advice supplied by the Chief Constable. The investment of any sale proceeds directly contributes to delivering the Wiltshire Police and Crime Plan priorities which ensures the Force has the necessary investment to provide a quality policing service which meets the demands of modern-day policing.

Published Thursday 4 May