Category: About Warminster: Dorothy Walk

Monday 2nd June 2025

Item 21 on the Agenda for a meeting of the Town Development Committee of Warminster Town Council, held at the Civic Centre, Warminster, on the evening of Monday 2nd June 2025, was: “Rights Of Way Volunteers. To note the update from the Rights of Way Volunteers.”

The Rights Of Way Volunteers presented a Warminster Rights Of Way Maintenance Analysis, which included the following information for Dorothy Walk:

Ser. 16
Parish number: WARM 16.
Name: Dorothy Walk.
Status: Footpath.
Length (m): 750.
Surface: Metalled.
Remarks: From beside the Minster Church on Bath Road as a tarmac road serving a few houses into a hedge enclosed path, then across open space to Portway Field then between the houses on pavement and over a railway bridge to Westbury Road. (To become a combined footpath and cycle track under the West Warminster Urban Extension).

Monday 21st May 2018

 Dorothy Walk, Warminster.

 Photographs taken by Danny Howell
on Monday 21st May 2018. 

Saturday 8th March 2014

Dr. Andrew Murrison, MP, has tweeted ~

Well done Wiltshire Council for refusing planning permission for land off Bath Road & Church Street Warminster.

Every member of the Planning Advisory Committee of Warminster Town Council, at their meeting on Monday 11th November 2013, held at Warminster Civic Centre, voted in favour of refusing a planning application submitted by Redrow for the building of 60 houses off the Bath Road, Warminster, in a contentious development that would have destroyed the meadows around the Grade II Listed Minster Parish Church, put a new road across the much-used pedestrian footpath Dorothy Walk, and, according to protestors, added to the drainage difficulties at Manor Gardens and subsidence problem at Rectory Close. Warminster residents, not just those who live in the vicinity of Dorothy Walk and Manor Gardens, but from all parts of the town, numbering nearly 100 persons, packed the Council Chamber, with a selected few making their “no development” views known on behalf of everyone to the seven members of the committee.

Councillor Paul Macdonald was the first to echo the “no” viewpoint, reinforcing the danger to road users at the proposed access point, the lack of safety for future pedestrian users of Dorothy Walk, and the loss of habitat and forage for protected species of wildlife. He went further to say: “The proposed development by virtue of its design and layout fails to display an exceptional reason for acceptance. The proposed development does not meet the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework and therefore does not constitute sustainable development. The land proposed is outside the settlement boundary of the town and is certainly not included in the emerging Core Strategy.”

On the Vision For Warminster website, Councillor Macdonald elaborates on his thoughts. He writes of “battling against the Wild West planning culture” that Warminster is facing from developers. He confirms “Our reasons for refusal were unanimously agreed” and that the Town Council when advising Wiltshire Council’s Planning Office will highlight the strength of the cause. It seems that people power, Warminster people power, is not to be ignored.

Councillor Macdonald writes: “I really feel that with the support of Councillor Pip Ridout and Councillor Andrew Davis, who wear another hat at County Hall, we have won this. We have now shown the way forward to others who may be experiencing the wild west attitude to our town and other towns. The strength of public opinion is now unchallengeable and the totally united front that has formed amongst the Warminster councillors sends a clear message to developers. Hands off Dorothy Walk and the church meadows. You have more than enough land already allocated. Go there.”

Friday 8th November 2013

Clare Hancock, of Church Street Mews, Warminster, says nearly 500 people have signed the petition against residential development of the fields at Dorothy Walk, Warminster. Redrow Homes have submitted a planning application for 60 houses which will surround the Minster Churchyard. Campaigners against the development say any building at Dorothy Walk will add to the flooding problems already suffered at Rectory Close, and exacerbate the drainage difficulties at Manor Gardens, both adjacent to the proposed site. These houses will be accessed by a new road over wet marshy ground – a road that will cross the much-used footpath that connects Church Street with Portway Playing Fields. Many people now fear the worse for the area’s wildlife too. Local residents have formed a Save Dorothy Walk Action Group and have already held one meeting. Clare, says: “We are all very upset about this. We are not going to let big developers ride rough shod over us. We can only hope the planning authority will give this application a very large red light.”

Clare and her husband Tim have written the following letter ~

“We write to protest, in the strongest possible terms, against the proposal of the building of houses by Redrow Homes behind the Minster Church in Warminster.”

“This area is one of the last beautiful and natural remaining areas left within the spreading metropolis of Warminster. It is a haven for wildlife and provides wonderful walks for the locals. It is deeply depressing to think we might lose this most wonderful area to yet more houses. Why is it always down to profits before people?”

“Most of the local residents are wholly against it. In fact we have not met one single person who is for it.”

“We walk within this area daily, and have regularly seen roe deer, foxes, water voles and innumerable species of birds, plus the resident bats in the trees. The beautiful matured trees lining Dorothy Walk are the most majestic avenue of trees in Warminster. Between the Bath Road Industrial Estates and the sprawl of Warminster remains the last idyllic pocket of paradise, just let it be preserved for the future generations of the town. It has a very special and spiritual ambience around the historical church.”

“The development will increase more heavy traffic to the area, causing environmental pollution and noise, and disturb the natural flood plain. There is regular flooding occurring in the meadows and paths in the area. How will our already over-burdened infrastructure of schools, doctors, emergency services, employment, etc., cope? The whole road system will need serious consideration to ensure the safety of the children at the local private school.”

“On Redrow’s plans, they state there is a conservation area next to the proposed development, when, in fact, it is a graveyard!”

“Warminster is already twinned with Flers in France. Perhaps we should re-think our twinning strategy and pair up with Bradley Stoke, one of Redrow’s previous developments, as we will have a lot in common with that place and this is indicative of how we may become.”

________

The Save The Dorothy Walk Action Group petition can be signed atVintage et Al, Sweeny Todds, and Harris Hill & Gibbons vets (all at Silver Street, Warminster) and The Cock Inn (at West Street, Warminster).

Thursday 7th November 2013

Save Dorothy Walk Action Group
Petition
Please sign a petition to protest against
the proposal to build 60 houses behind
the beautiful Minster Church, Warminster.

Petitions can be found at Vintage et Al,
Sweeny Todds, Harris Hill & Gibbons vets
(all at Silver Street, Warminster) and
The Cock Inn (West Street, Warminster).

Thank you.

Saturday 2nd November 2013

The Save Dorothy Walk Action Group are asking as many people as possible, whether they live within the Dorothy Walk neighbourhood or further afield in Warminster or beyond, to voice their objections to the proposals by Redrow Homes to build houses in that area. Objections can be made before 15th November 2013 to Wiltshire Council, quoting planning application no. 13/05089/FUL.

The following reasons have been cited by the Save Dorothy Walk Action Group for objecting to the proposed residential development:

* Development Plan Policy & Government Guidelines: This proposed development contravenes this: The land is OUTSIDE the settlement boundary and, in the emerging Core Strategy it is suggested that Warminster has enough building land already allocated or available within the settlement boundary to more than satisfy the required housing supply until 2026.

* Flooding: Dorothy Walk, Rectory Close, Portway, parts of Manor Gardens and Bath Road already struggle with flooded gardens and, in some cases, houses suffer from flooding also. Any development here will worsen this.

* Drainage: Manor Gardens is notorious for drainage problems, as is Dorothy Walk, Ash Walk and Rectory Close. Further development will only exacerbate this problem.

* Access: The proposed access road is from the Bath Road near The Were and Coldharbour Lane. The visibility is very poor along this section of an already busy road. Children, including those from Warminster School, use this road and the resulting traffic increase would further jeopardise their safety. In addition, the access would be at a section which is already prone to flooding and yet, the developers intend to build the new road on an existing flood plain! The proposed Emergency Access is via Dorothy Walk. This would prove extremely hazardous, as it is a narrow lane, much of which is unmade road. It is a well-used public footpath, with many pedestrians (including schoolchildren) and cyclists.

* Loss Of Public Footpath: A new road is proposed ACROSS Dorothy Walk. This well-used footpath, which is over 200 years old, was enhanced for local people by a local businessman, in memory of his late daughter Dorothy. Our footpath will be annihilated.

* Conservation Of Trees And Open Land: There is a need to safeguard the countryside, and any development here would destroy this open space and some of the existing mature trees. The charming and peaceful ambience of this area would be totally destroyed. The Minster Church is Saxon (in origin) and is swathed by green fields which would be lost to a housing estate. Any development would be totally out of keeping with the area.

* Ecology: There is an abundance of wildlife in the area, including endangered and protected species, such as bats, owls, woodpeckers, slow worms, water voles, water shrews, grass snakes, toads and badgers. Any development would have a devastating effect on the flora and fauna in the area.

* Subsidence: The land proposed for development is unstable. Two houses have already subsided in Rectory Close and as such are almost impossible to sell. People buying these proposed houses at the new development may well not be able to obtain house insurance.

* Effects Of Daylight And Privacy: This would be severely detrimental to neighbours living in close proximity to the proposed development.

* Noise And Disturbance: This would have a severe impact on anyone living in or using Dorothy Walk, Church Street, Bath Road, Minster Church and Warminster School.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

* Please voice your objections (politely) before 15th November 2013 to Wiltshire Council, quoting application no. 13/05089/FUL on all correspondence.

* Letters to Mike Wilmot, Area Development Manager, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN. 

* Email: development@wiltshire.gov.uk or use the online facility on the Council website www.wiltshire.gov.uk

* Write to, phone or email the local MP, Dr. Andrew Murrison, House Of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, telephone 020 7219 8337, or Constituency Office, Suite 1, Holloway House, Epsom Square, White Horse Business Park, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0XG, telephone 01225 358584, fax 01225 358583, email: andrew.murrison.mp@parliament.uk 

* Make your views known to local and regional newspapers.

* This is vital now that a planning application has been submitted.

We have started a SAVE DOROTHY WALK ACTION GROUP. Here we will fight this application and keep local people updated on the planning process. We hope as many people as possible will support us. Contact details: email savedorothywalk@gmail.com or telephone: 07551 448034

PEOPLE POWER IS PARAMOUNT TO OUR CAUSE.

Friday 10th May 2013

Local residents, aghast at the proposals by Redrow Homes to build as many as 80 houses at Dorothy Walk, Warminster, are asking everyone who objects to this idea to attend the developer’s exhibition at Warminster Civic Centre today (Friday 10th May) between 1.00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m., to make their views known.

The objectors to the scheme, say:  

“Save Dorothy Walk. Yet another development proposed for land which is unsuitable. Dorothy Walk is a beautiful, historic lane, which starts at the Minster Church and leads through to Portway. It is flanked on either side by an avenue of lovely mature trees and open grass fields, where cattle graze in the summer sunshine. It is enjoyed by many local people and visitors to the area. Developers have announced that they are going to turn this beautiful, unspoilt area of Warminster into a high density housing estate of up to 80 houses. The character of Dorothy Walk with its leafy green village feel and wildlife corridor will be destroyed forever, along with its abundance of wildlife. Any development here will have a major impact on flooding, drainage and infrastructure. Many properties further afield will also be affected, not only those in the immediate area. We, the people of Warminster, must unite together and help stop this! We are are all sick of being ridden over roughshot by big developers, behaving like bankers. We may be perceived as ‘the little people’, but this is OUR town and we will be heard! Redrow Homes have arranged a public exhibition of their proposals on Friday 10th May between 1 pm and 6 pm. If you do not want to lose one of the last green spaces on the west side of Warminster, we urge you to attend this exhibition and make your feelings known to the developers.”

Redrow Homes are presenting an exhibition at Warminster Civic Centre on Friday 10th May 2013, from 1.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. The exhibition is to give the public the opportunity to see Redrow’s proposals for the houses they would like to build either side of Dorothy Walk, Warminster ~ housing which will also wind its way around the north and west sides of the Minster Churchyard to Bath Road.

 The Warminster Town Centre Conservation Area Assessment (Informative Document), published in March 2007, noted: 

Dorothy Walk runs along the eastern side of the churchyard, taking pedestrians further afield and eventually linking up to the top end of Portway Lane via another footpath. It is an attractive tree lined track at this end, dominated by the stone walling of the churchyard with glimpses between the trees on its eastern side towards open fields and water meadows associated with the Were’s water course.