Changes to A350 Melksham service station given green light

On Friday, May 8, Wiltshire Council officially granted proposals to remove an existing jet wash, air and screen wash machines from the Beanacre Road Service Station on the A350 on the edge of Melksham.

They also gave the go ahead to replace them with new jet washes alongside the associated forecourt works.

According to the planning officer’s report, the applicants now have the green light to get rid of the existing self-service car maintenance facilities (which include a jet wash, and an air and screen wash), and replace them with four serviced bays and two plant rooms.

The officer’s report adds that the scheme includes associated works to the forecourt and requires works to exiting.

In their assessment of the application, the officer in charge of looking at the proposal wrote: “The proposed development would make efficient use of the service station and does not propose a change of use or significant intensification of the site’s operation to such a degree that the strategic growth objectives for the area would be prejudiced.”

The plan had sparked concern among key stakeholders. Melksham Town Council had objected to the proposals several times, including an objection in late February on the grounds of biodiversity, citing a policy "relating to habitats and damage to or loss of trees of good arboricultural and amenity value."

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According to the officer’s report, two members of the public raised concerns over the plans regarding the potential for noise disturbance, potential for anti-social behaviour, and lack of appropriate site-screening.

Wiltshire Council’s Ecology team has also objected in October 2025, and February 2026, but later dropped their objection in a submission in late-April.

In their planning balance section, the officer writes: “The design is functional in appearance and mitigation measures can be included to ensure that neighbouring amenity is not unacceptably impacted by granting permission.

“Similarly, the existing site situation is such that ecological impacts would be limited, the proposed development would not result in increased risk to highway safety and development would not result in increased flood risk.”

Concluding their report, the officer recommended the council’s planning committee approve the plan, subject to a number of conditions issued with the decision notice.

Among these conditions are that the applicants submit further paperwork, the erection of protective fencing while the works are ongoing, and the implementation of “all noise mitigation measures as detailed within the Noise Impact Assessment Technical Report”.