Nexus Planning secures planning permission for a winery in Shalbourne
Award-winning planning consultancy, Nexus Planning, secures full planning permission to replace existing agricultural buildings with a winery at Carvers Hill Farm in Shalbourne, Wiltshire.
The proposals include winemaking and storage facilities, areas for wine tasting relating to vineyard tours, and a viewing platform to observe the vineyard, located to the south of the site. The proposal will also create a number of jobs for local people.
Nexus Planning – which has offices in Reading, London and Manchester – was approached by the landowners of Carvers Hill Farm who had planted vines on former grazing land, in order to diversify their farming operations. While there is now a number of established vineyards in the UK (c.700), there is a significantly lesser number of wineries (c.170), so the landowner has sought to deliver an exciting new winery that will attract visitors to Shalbourne and boost the local economy.
Nexus Planning, acting as lead consultant, prepared a comprehensive planning application package that was submitted to Wiltshire Council. A key part of the justification for the scheme was that Nexus Planning successfully demonstrated that the replacement of the existing dilapidated agricultural buildings on the site with a bespoke winery building had the potential to significantly improve the appearance of the farmstead (which is sited at the gateway into the village), while retaining the rural character of the site.
The Parish Council formally commented on the planning application, stating that it: “Strongly supports this application which will make a contribution to the economy of the area and is welcome.” Having received general support from statutory consultees, the planning application was approved by Wiltshire Council under delegated powers. The landowner is now looking forward to delivering this dynamic project.
Hywel James, principal planner at Nexus Planning Reading, commented: “We’re pleased to have been able to assist the landowners at Carvers Hill Farm in delivering a planning permission for this sustainable development, which we hope will facilitate an exciting farm diversification scheme as well as generate economic benefits for the local community.”
