PLANS to demolish a former local restaurant and to build nine flats it its place has been opposed by town councillors.
A planning application has been re-submitted to demolish the former Dragonfly Delight restaurant in Lowbourne, next to the former library, and build nine flats. In May 2021, town councillors considered an application to demolish the building for flats, which they opposed. A final decision, by Wiltshire Council, refused that application later the same year.
The latest application was discussed at the town council’s economic, development and planning committee meeting held last month.
Councillor Gary Cooke said, “If we can add the same objections that we did last time, that it is not in-keeping with the town and is detrimental to the town’s master plan.”
Councillors also raised other concerns, saying the site is in a conservation area; the proposed development is not in keeping with the style of buildings in the area and the proposed development indicates there are nine parking spaces with no evidence that seven of those nine parking spaces will be available in the future, if and when the remaining area of the site is developed.
Clerk to the town council, Linda Roberts said, “I think we need to mention the town centre master plan. We are about to undergo a technical study of the car parks in the town and the car park there might lend itself to any development that could happen there in the future. If we take this away, we reduce the quality of what could be developed on the site.
“Wiltshire Council is fully aware of what the town master plan is going to be. Wiltshire Council would like the whole site so they can enhance the area. We will pass on what we have said to them.”
Town councillors’ suggestions will now be passed on to Wiltshire Council.
