OLD TOWN: A 1970s bungalow which is literally sinking into the ground can be demolished and replaced with a modern-looking two-storey family home (pictured).

The bungalow at 70 Westlecot Road suffers from subsidence and a survey says that the back of it is sinking into the ground, which used to be a quarry. It is deemed not to be salvageable and owner Michael Tatam has been given permission to knock it down.

In its place will be a two-storey house, with four bedrooms and a dressing room, four reception room on the ground floor and a home cinema and gym in the basement.

The initial plans for the replacement were not suitable but the new ones, which appear more modern in design, have been approved.

SOUTH MARSTON: The creation of an exclusive five-house development with a park alongside it has been refused.

Bower Mapson Homes wanted to build the development of there, four and five-bedroom detached houses on a greenfield site off Nightingale Lane. It would be next to the expanded village centre in South Marston as it grows as part of the New Eastern Village development.

The proposals included the creation of wooded parkland stretching from the war memorial in the centre of the village west past the new development.

But Swindon Borough Council planners have refused the application because it would make the urban area too big

The officers’ decisions said: “The proposed development occupies a greenfield site located within the countryside outside the defined settlement boundary of South Marston and the defined New Eastern Villages strategic allocation, which would encroach into the area of countryside.”

The council said the homes would impact unacceptably on the Grade II-listed Church Farmhouse.

NORTH STAR: One warehouse can be moved and a new one constructed to cope with the increase in medical waste needing disposal in Swindon.

Caerphilly-based PHS Group has been given permission for the new development on Hawksworth Industrial Estate. The company said its facilities in West Bromwich and Bristol can no longer cope with the increase in personal hygiene waste it is collecting, such as masks and gloves, during the coronavirus pandemic.

GROUNDWELL: Ferhat Ulu, who runs the company Delicious, has had his permission renewed to sell hot takeaway food from a layby on Cricklade Road near the Groundwell Industrial Estate. He parks a white van and trailer in the layby every day,

The units will be used for the disposal of the waste which will arrive in a sealed lorry.

BROOME MANOR: A plan to use an annexe behind the house at 10 Leamington Grove as a hairdressing salon has been turned down. Owner Luis Faria had applied for permission under lawful development rules to allow his wife, who works as a home-based and mobile hairdresser, to use it

But council officers say using the granny annexe as a salon between 10am and 6pm during the week and for a shorter time on Saturdays constitutes a significant change of use and refused permission.

It might yet be possible for Mr Faria to get the consent needed if he makes a formal application for change of use permission.

EXTENSIONS: Extensions, outbuildings or conversions of lofts and garages into habitable space have been approved for 41 Okebourne Park, Liden, 7 Spencer’s Orchard, Wroughton and a retrospective application at 19 Park Avenue, Highworth.

Applications have been lodged for 25 Ainsworth Road, Park South and 12 Bouverie Avenue, Lakeside.

TREES: Applications for work on trees in Conservation Areas have been approved for Sulvadene, Quarry Road, Old Town; Vicarage Court, Ermin Street, Stratton St Margaret; Athelstan, Badbury Lane; Silver Springs, Callas Hill, Wanborough; Brookside Cottage, The City; Rails Cottages, Oxon Place and Edmonds Cottage, High Street, all in Bishopstone; Friars Close, Westfield Road, Old Town and Stanton Fitzwarren playing area.