HIGHWORTH: A plan put forward to demolish a house in Swindon Road, but to keep the garage and a “single-storey dwelling” has been turned down.

Adrian Sykes of Skye Property Group had asked for permission to retain the buildings, which date back to the 1970s.

His plans showed the “dwelling” as a timber-clad building with three bedrooms and two bathrooms and a kitchen/diner, study and laundry.

But planners at Euclid Street have refused the request. The decision report says: “It is clearly evident that what exists on site is not an existing dwelling or garage nor shows evidence of ever having been either.”

STRATTON ST MARGARET: A plan to convert a garage into a house with dormer windows was withdrawn. Andrew Stone, who lives in Ermin Street, had asked for permission to turn the garage at 156 Ermin Street into a two-bedroom two-storey house, with the addition of dormer windows in the upper storey.

A neighbour had objected to the positioning of the window saying it would look directly into his property.

OLD TOWN: Another plan to convert a garage into living space has been withdrawn. Brandon Pheiffer wanted to use the garage next to the house at 13 King John Street for two bedrooms, adding a second storey with another two bedrooms.

But there were objections from South Swindon Parish Council and a neighbour worried about the loss of daylight to houses in Union Street, which backs on to the house, and from the borough council’s conservation officer.

ABBEY MEADS: Peter Garner’s application to convert the garage at 19 Timandra Close into a four-bedroom home, with a single-storey rear extension at the back for a family room did better. The only issue for council planners was whether the garage had existed for at least four years. When that was established the application was approved.

EAST WICHEL: David Sibley’s application to convert the garage at the property of 2 Barbel Road has been approved. The garage at the front of the house will be converted into a study. Cars will be able to access the two parking spaces behind it form the rear of the property.

WALCOT: Two electric vehicle charging points will be installed in a car park. The application made by Paul Hicks of charging company Instavolt from Basingstoke, to place the double point at the corner of the car park of the library and supermarket in Sussex Place at the junction of Somerville Road and Queens Drive has been approved.

TOWN CENTRE: More flats are being planned for previously commercial spaces.

Fairfax Securities, a company based in Leeds, wants to convert the upper storage floors of 21-22 Regent Street, an art deco building dating back to the early decades of the 20th century, for flats. The ground floor will continue to be a shop, although currently it is vacant.

Above the two single-bed apartments will be broadly symmetrical along a line running across the building. Fairfax’s application has been approved.

TREES: A weeping willow at 9 Wanborough Road in Stratton can be felled to the ground, but only as long as a new one is planted to replace it, as close to the original tree as possible, and within 18 months of the felling.

A hedge of Leyland cypress will be cut down, and a hedge of hawthorn at 5 the Green, Highworth cut back.

Six lime trees at 43 Bath Road in Old Town can be pollarded back to the previous pollard point.