A planning appeal to construct six flats in a village near Amesbury has been granted.

Permission has now been granted to demolish two bungalows and construct six flats - two one-bed and four two-bed - along with parking, at 90-92 Bulford Road in Durrington.

Wiltshire Council originally refused the application in June for two reasons.

The first was that replacing two single storey dwellings with a block of six apartments would constitute overdevelopment of the site, out of character with the surroundings.

The second was that the small communal garden would not provide "adequate private outdoor amenity space" for occupants in the flats.

However, the Planning Inspectorate, Jonathan Manning, concluded the appeal, dated January 27, that "on balance, the identified harm does not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme".

The main issues of the appeal were the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, and whether the scheme would provide for suitable living conditions for future occupants, with regard to amenity space.

In the Appeal decision, the Inspectorate concluded that the flats when viewed from Bulford Road would appear similar in scale and proportions to other terrace buildings in the area.

He also argued that the National Planning Policy Framework "encourages a range of dwellings", and some occupants may not need outdoor amenity space.

Now the development is permitted, work should begin within three years.

The application was made by Saxon Gate Homes.

To view the application in full, click here.

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