HOLT: There are plans for up to 90 houses to be built near the village of Holt.

Gladman Developments Ltd want permission to build on land off Melksham Road.

The plans are to be decided on March 22 at the strategic planning committee meeting.

But the plans have caused a lot of controversy, with many objections to the application.

One of the comments on the proposal says: “I object to the planning application for land off Melksham Road, Holt. The land is outside of the village boundary.

“The plan is too large for the village whose infrastructure will not support 90 extra households.

“There will be a loss of greenfield when we should be safeguarding the countryside. There will be a loss of privacy for my neighbours whose properties back onto the site.”

Gladman says that there would be “a number of economic benefits” if the plans were approved, such as the potential provision of 180 jobs and increased demand for local services and business.

They add there will be pedestrian improvements, including footway widening, and the provision of ‘natural children’s play stations’, and new landscape and wildflower planting.

It is not known what the mix of housing would be at this stage, but the applicants have stated that 40 per cent would be affordable housing.

TROWBRIDGE: Plans have been submitted to put solar panels on the south wall of County Hall in Trowbridge.

The deadline for the decision to go ahead with the panels is to be made on April 21st. The number of solar panels is not stated in the application.

MALMESBURY: Twelve new holiday lodges to be built in Malmesbury may become available to over-55s as a place of permanent occupancy.

The holiday lodges at Oaksey Park Golf and Leisure, Wick Road, have already been given permission but were originally approved on the basis of conditions restricting permanent living.

The developer is now seeking to change those conditions to allow the permanent occupation of the lodges to those aged over 55, dependent relatives and carers.

The applicant, Cotswold Ecohomes Ltd, has previously tried to overturn conditions but was refused by the council who said, these changes would introduce new permanent residential development in an unacceptable location.

In the latest application Echohomes argued against the refusal and said: “There are significant advantages in providing such accommodation in the rural areas not least of which are tackling under-occupancy and enabling those seeking to downsize to remain in their local rural area.”

However, they were refused once again and are now appealing to the government planning inspector to overturn the council’s decision.

LACOCK: Almost 1,000 solar panels are to be installed across Wiltshire College in Lacock.

Up to 806 solar panels are to be put on roofs and buildings in several different areas including on the halls of residence, teaching workshop and there will also be panels on the pitched roofs next to the canteen.

The plans say: “The Lackham campus is Wiltshire College’s specialist campus for land-based study. It is a large campus comprising many separate buildings and resources, and has recently undergone a £9million redevelopment.

“Wiltshire College needs to decarbonise and find ways to reduce its large electricity bills across the site.

“The solar panels look provide solutions to these problems whilst not negatively impacting on the site’s heritage value nor aesthetics.

“Parts of the Lackham Campus are grade 2 listed, hence the reason for completing the planning application otherwise it would have fallen under permitted development.”