RUDLOE: The Ministry of Defence has been refused planning permission on a bid to replace equipment.

The MoD applied to Wiltshire Council for permission to remove an existing ISO container used for fire training at its Rudloe site.

It was proposed that the container would be replaced with three containers to be used for “Breathing Apparatus and Carbonaceous Fire Behaviour Training”.

In refusing the application, the council’s planning officers wrote: “The proposed facility is a permanent structure that exceeds the size limitations set out in General Permitted Development Order 2015.”

Great Bedwyn: Plans to divide a plot of land and build a new house have been knocked back.

Philip Boardman Jnr applied to Wiltshire Council to divide the land at Corner Cottage, 10 Spaines in Great Bedwyn and build a new house.

The surroundings of Corner Cottage are 60s bungalows many of which, according to Mr Boardman’s design statement, have been extended or changed.

It was proposed that the new home would be occupied by Mr Boardman’s father – Philip Boardman Snr.

In rejecting the bid, planning officers said: “The proposed development would appear cramped and contrived, and out of keeping with the development in the immediate vicinity in terms of the proximity of the dwelling to the plot boundaries, the limited plot size, the hipped roof form and position of the bungalow forward of the building line along Farm Lane.

“As such the proposal does not demonstrate a high quality of design that would make a positive contribution to the character of the area.

“The proposed dwelling would offer a poor standard of internal living accommodation both in terms of the adequacy of the internal floor space, and the quality of that floor space with particular reference to the three windows proposed in the rear elevation of the bungalow, where the boundary treatment needed to ensure privacy between properties appears likely to obstruct both the levels of natural light and the outlook from the rooms served by the windows.”

Netheravon: A couple have won planning permission to build a five-bedroom house in Netheravon.

Mr and Mrs Robertson of Chardan, High Street applied to demolish two storage buildings on land near 118 High Street.

In place of the storage buildings the couple will be able to build the proposed five-bedroom house.

The bid saw some objections. Commenter Clare de Winton said: “This is a Conservation Area and does not need an architecturally inadequate house which is insensitive to the surrounding properties which are mostly 19th century.”

“The Motor Garage, which is almost immediately opposite the site, approached the applicant some five years ago looking to either purchase or rent the land for inside and outside secure storage of vehicles,” said James Alexander Russell.

“We were rebuffed by the applicant who was not prepared to sell the site or lease it on any commercial terms. This was notwithstanding that we offered a 10-year lease in which we would conduct the necessary repairs.

“When we queried the logic of the applicant’s position the applicant commented at the time that it suited his intentions for the site for it to remain vacant.”

Chippenham: KFC has applied to Wiltshire Council for permission to put up advertising signs on Bath Road in Chippenham for its newest store in the area.

Shalbourne: Plans to cut down seven apple trees in Shalbourne have been rejected.

Tony Egerton of Orchard House, Kingston Road in Shalbourne put in a bid to the council to remove seven apple trees from his front garden but the application was turned down.

“The application does not meet the criteria for removing mature apple trees that are considered to be significant contributors to the local landscape and wildlife habitat,” planning officers said. “The apple trees have splits, tears, cavities, deadwood and hollow trunks which are all essential features for wildlife and could support roosting Bats as well as a diverse range of invertebrates.

“One of the reasons given within the application is that the trees have not fruited lately, this is because of recent unauthorised poor pruning that has left the trees with reduced fruiting buds.”