WANBOROUGH: St Andrew’s Church, which suffered the theft of lead from its roof earlier this year has applied to be able to re-roof its nave with Welsh slate.

The church’s application for permission says it is normal policy to replace roof lead with stainless steel, but it lists the advantages of using Welsh slate instead: “Welsh slate is quarried in the UK. Wanborough is located near Swindon where the local vernacular – since the arrival of the railways – has included the extensive use of Welsh slate; a number of the older buildings in Upper Wanborough are roofed in Welsh slate.

“A Welsh slate roof is relatively easy to repair – slipped/damaged slates can be simply replaced; if terne-coated stainless steel is damaged or is leaking, repair is more difficult.”

OLD TOWN: The plan to build a five-bed family house with a garage in the back garden of 350 Marlborough Road has been refused.

Martin Wilson of Marto Developments Ltd’s plan was turned down as officers believe "a single dwelling set in the back garden of No. 350 Marlborough Road and accessed by means of a long narrow driveway would not relate well to its surroundings representing an uncharacteristic development to the detriment of the appearance of the surrounding area.”

EXTENSIONS: Applications have been lodged to build extensions to houses or outbuildings or to convert garages and lofts to living accommodation at 3 High Street, Haydon Wick; 19 Norman Road, Gorse Hill; 342 Ferndale Road, Ferndale; 2 Aubrey Gardens, Rodbourne Cheney; 34 Capesthorne Drive, Haydon Wick; 7 Ceres Road, Blunsdon St Andrew; 12 Monmouth Close, Lawn; 38 Walcot Road, Old Walcot; 45 Whitworth Road, Rodbourne Cheney; 184 Pinehurst Road, Pinehurst; 13 Alder Close, Woodhall Park and 30 Walcot Road, Old Walcot.

Such applications have been approved for  35 Whittingham Road, Westlea; 50 Nythe Road, Stratton St Margaret; 5 Thrushel Close, Haydon Wick; 43 Eastern Avenue, Old Walcot; Ty Canol 2 Wanshot Close, Wroughton; 66 Kingswood Avenue, park North; 97 The Mall, Old Town; 48 Burnet Close, Haydon Wick; 135 Cheney Manor Road; Cheney Manor; 40 Caulfield Road, Gorse Hill; 49 Severn Avenue, Haydon Wick; 48 Sandown Avenue, Lakeside;  Grove House Front Lane, Blunsdon.

A proposal to convert the garage at 24 Blackstone Avenue in Eldene into a liveable room has been turned down. Council planners did not object to the conversion in itself, but rather the removal of a parking space.

A two-storey rear extension at 92 Croft Road in Old Town has also been refused. Council officers said: “The proposed two-storey extension will have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the adjacent property causing a loss of light to the first floor habitable room to the rear. The proposed extension will be over dominant on the rear elevation and out of keeping with the size, scale and character of the host property.”