Planning appeal decision
Field to North of Sodom Lane (WT241435), Grittenham, Chippenham, SN15 4JY
Planning appeal 3347549 at Field to North of Sodom Lane (WT241435), Grittenham, Chippenham, SN15 4JY (Wiltshire Council) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 15 December 2025 by Inspector Harwood A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the developments on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
Without planning permission, the material change of use of the land from agriculture to the mixed use of agriculture and for the stationing of caravans for residential purposes
- Authority
- Wiltshire Council
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- caravan-gypsy · Change of use
- Inspector
- Harwood A
- Postcode
- SN15 4JY
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the developments on the character and appearance of the surrounding area
- the effect of the developments on the setting of nearby Grade II Listed Buildings
- whether the development can provide suitable living conditions for the occupants of the site with respect to the effects of sound from the nearby highway network (Appeal A only)
What decided it
The substantial harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, the harm to the setting of the Listed Buildings, and the failure to provide suitable living conditions due to unmitigated highway noise significantly and demonstrably outweigh the modest contribution to meeting unmet gypsy and traveller accommodation need.
The substantial weight given to conflicts with development plan policies and Framework guidance on landscape character, heritage assets and amenity standards outweighed the moderate weight given to the lack of alternative sites, the modest contribution to meeting gypsy and traveller need, and the moderate weight given to the best interests of children and personal family circumstances; the adverse impacts of the development significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Core Policy 51Core Policy 47Core Policy 57(vii)saved Policy NE18
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision


More decisions in Wiltshire
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Allowed21 October 20266009637The Stables, Doctors Hill, Corsham, SN13 8AT
- Allowed30 September 20266007924Beehive Cottage, Portway, Salisbury, SP4 6BL
- Notice upheld28 July 20263357040The Banks , Lyneham , Wiltshire, SN15 4NT
- Dismissed13 July 20266002635Castle View Care Centre, 8 Old Castle Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3SF
- Quashed On Legal Grounds29 June 20263357357Red Lion, Axford, Marlborough, SN8 2HA
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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