REVISED plans for new industrial and commercial units in Amesbury have been refused by Wiltshire Council, following renewed concerns over the impact on neighbouring homes.
The proposals, intended for Solstice Park in Amesbury, were refused on June 23 following strong opposition from residents and councillors. The scheme was for four new units south of Sunrise Way, intended for light and general industrial use as well as storage and distribution.
Although the site is part of a designated employment area, its close proximity to the Beverley Hills Park residential community raised concerns about noise and disruption.
In its decision, the council said the proposed development would likely have a "significant detrimental impact" on residential amenity, particularly due to the potential for 24-hour operations.
Residents had long complained about the noise from existing operations in the area.
The council’s refusal notice stated that noise assessments submitted by the applicant did not fully address the potential cumulative effects of noise, vibration, and construction on neighbouring properties.
Officers concluded that the risk to living conditions outweighed the economic benefits of the scheme and recommended a "precautionary approach."
Amesbury Town Council had objected to the plans since 2023, citing concerns about dust, lighting, and noise, particularly from units likely to operate around the clock.
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Town councillor and Wiltshire councillor Dr Monica Devendran welcomed the outcome and said: "Our position was clear.
"The council objected to this application in 2023, and having considered the updated plans and listened to residents, that position has not changed.
"Local voices were heard."
Dr Devendran noted that many residents in Beverley Hills Park are elderly or in poor health, and that some homes are built on unstable ground. She argued that their right to "quiet enjoyment" of their homes should be protected.
She had support from Wiltshire councillor for Amesbury East and Bulford, Cllr Kevin Asplin, who spoke at the planning meeting on June 23.
The refusal comes despite the site’s allocation for employment use under local planning policy and previous outline consent for industrial development within Solstice Park.
An earlier planning screening opinion had deemed large-scale industrial uses "appropriate in principle" for the location, given its planning designation and surrounding development.
However, the council made clear that policy support for employment land did not override the duty to protect nearby residents from unacceptable harm.
The applicant has up to six months to appeal the decision to the Secretary of State.
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