An application put forward by Churchill Retirement Living to change one of the four empty retail spaces at Orchard Lodge into residential accommodation has been granted planning permission following an appeal.
When the original application was granted for Churchill to build the 39 apartment and 4 commercial unit development in March 2021, one of the stipulations of the planning inspectorate was to remove permitted development rights to safeguard the retail/commercial units.
In November last year, a change of use planning application was put forward by Churchill Living to make one of the empty retail units into another retirement apartment.
When the application came before Calne Town Council's Planning Licensing and Highways Committee, councillors at the meeting felt that Churchill had not adequately sought to market the commercial units within the development.
In January, Wiltshire Council refused the application over fears the loss of commercial space would 'adversely impact the vitality and viability of the town centre'.
Churchill Retirement Living lodged an appeal to this decision stating that despite being on the market for over a year, no offers have been made on the unit. Churchill Retirement feel that changing the empty retail unit to a retirement apartment would be 'far more beneficial' for Calne's town centre than a vacant unit.
A planning inspector visited the site on the 23rd October noting the main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the vitality and viability of the town centre.
The inspector noted that the appeal property, Unit 4, is a ground floor retail unit within a mixed-use
development, the unit has been marketed since August 2023 on both a long-term and short-term lease for commercial uses compatible with the retirement living development. Unit 4 is located within the south-east corner of the host building and has no retail shopfront window. There has been limited interest and no formal offers have been received.
Following the site visit, the inspector has granted planning permission.
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