®Planning appeal decision
The Old Rectory, Vicarage Lane, Highworth, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7AD
Planning appeal 3353636 at The Old Rectory, Vicarage Lane, Highworth, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN6 7AD (Swindon Borough Council) was dismissed on 22 January 2025 by Inspector Evans J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the works would preserve a listed building and any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses.
Replacement of external side door (North elevation). The door to be replaced provides the entrance to the north wing of the original workhouse, which was built in the late-17th Century. We believe that this wing was the warder's house. Whilst this wing is significant to the history of the building and retains many original features, the door is of modern construction. It is poorly made and poorly fitted. We propose to replace it with a door in the same style as the door to the west elevation, leading to the late-19th Century infill. This door was replaced in 2019 and the proposal is to follow the same half-glazed design. Replacing the side door and its frame will improve security, whilst giving the best fit and providing more efficient draught proofing
- Authority
- Swindon Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- community-institutional · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Evans J
- Postcode
- SN6 7AD
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the works would preserve a listed building and any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses
What decided it
The absence of certainty regarding the age of the existing door and the lack of detailed drawings demonstrating how the replacement would preserve the listed building's special architectural and historic interest meant the harm could not be outweighed by the modest public benefits offered.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy EN10 of the Swindon Borough Local Plan (2015)Policy 8 of the Highworth Neighbourhood Plan (2017)
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
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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.