A PLANNING application to build a ‘Continuing Care Retirement Community’ in Warminster has been refused by Wiltshire Council.

If approved, land just off Grovelands Way would have welcomed a care home, bungalows and extra care apartments for people aged 55 and over as well as a convenience store, wildlife site, new play area and medical centre.

In Wiltshire Council’s decision letter it reads: “The proposal is for residential development in the open countryside, outside of the settlement framework boundary for Warminster.

“As such the proposal is contrary to the Spatial Strategy set out in Core Policies 1, 2 and 31 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

“The application fails to demonstrate that a high standard of design can be achieved throughout the proposed development, with sufficient regard to the existing site characteristics and context.”

The decision to reject the plan, submitted by Ace Retirement, was made yesterday (Tuesday, March 28).

Warminster councillor Pip Ridout said: “While I thought the retirement complex was a brilliant idea, there were simply too many planning obstacles to overcome for it to be approved – not least the fact it’s not in the core strategy or neighbourhood plan.

“I’m pleased it has been refused.”

The owner of the land, Durmast Ltd, has blocked off the bridges which lead onto it, saying the reason is because they are unsafe.