Category: About Warminster: Plants Green

The Path Which Connects Roly Poly Steps With Plants Green And Gipsy Lane

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 the footpath which connects Roly Poly Steps with Plants Green and Gipsy Lane:

Ser. 38
Parish number: WARM 47.
Name: not named.
Status: Footpath.
Length (m): 370.
Surface: Metalled.
Remarks: From the top of the steps up from the Park along a section of Plants Green and Gipsy Lane to the junction of Chain Lane and Smallbrook Road. (Mowed at least in part by Nigel Linge).

Plants Green On The Ridge Above Rye Hill And The Smallbrook Watermeadows, Warminster

Saturday 5th October 2013

Two views of the southern side of Plants Green on the ridge overlooking Rye Hill and the Smallbrook watermeadows to the east of the Lake Pleasure Grounds, Warminster.

Photographs taken by Danny Howell on Saturday 5th October 2013.

Professional Advice To Be Sought For Car Parking Problem At Plants Green, Warminster

Tuesday 27th November 2012

A problem with car parking at Plants Green, Warminster, was discussed by Warminster Town Councillors at a meeting of the Town Development Committee, held at the Civic Centre,  yesterday evening (Monday 26th November 2012).

Gordon MacDonald, of 6 Plants Green, Warminster, in a letter to the Town Clerk Ms. Heather Abernethie, dated 19th October 2012, wrote: “Dear Ms. Abernethy [sic]. Ref: Extension of Yellow Lines. Parking on the road outside Nos.4 and 6 Plants Green and directly opposite the entrance to Chelwood Court has become noticeably more frequent of late and it is unwise and more than a little dangerous because of the ‘S’ bend configuration of Plants Green at this particular point. You will see from the photos I have enclosed that the view both ‘up’ and ‘down’ is not clear. Would it be possible to discourage parking in this particular area in some way to prevent what could be a nasty accident.  Thank you for your consideration. I regret any inconvenience.”

Rob Fryer (Mayor of Warminster) told the meeting he had visited Plants Green that morning and confirmed that cars are parking on the road in front of Mr. MacDonald’s property. It seems that parking charges for the public car parks in Warminster are forcing some motorists to use side streets for parking when they come into Warminster to work or shop. 

Chris Montagu, a co-opted member of the Committee from Warminster Civic Trust, said he often had to visit Chelwood Court and was aware of the problem. Tony Nicklin, chairing the meeting, said nearly all of the road at Plants Green was narrow and perhaps would benefit from yellow lines all the way along. 

Andrew Davis spoke against the addition of yellow lines at Plants Green. He said “If we put yellow lines one side of the road, people will just park on the other side of the road.” He went on to say despite the Council requesting and being granted yellow lines last year and at the beginning of this year, for other streets in Warminster, these yellow lines have still not been painted. It seems the bad weather of 2012 has considerably delayed the process. Andrew Davis said “If we do request yellow lines for Plants Green it will be at least 18 months before they materialise.” 

Andrew Davis went on to say that yellow lines would only create a new problem at Plants Green. He thought that parked cars were a good traffic calming measure. Yellow lines preventing car parking, he reckoned, could make for a lethal situation at the bend in Plants Green.” 

Councillors seemed unsure of the best course of action to deal with the problem raised by Mr. MacDonald. Chris March then suggested that the Council seek professional advice on the matter. “So that they can tell us yellow lines are needed,” retorted Andrew Davis. “No, no,” said Councillor March, “We will ask for professional advice and then we can decide what has to be done.”

Petition From Some Plants Green Residents Seeking The Closure Of Roly Poly Lane, Warminster

Wednesday 4th November 1981

Residents of 15 bungalows at Plants Green, Warminster (mainly bungalows whose back gardens border on Roly Poly Lane) have signed a petition which they have presented to Wiltshire County Council, seeking the closure of Roly Poly Lane, Warminster.

They cite vandalism as a reason for their wanting to prevent future access to Roly Poly Lane. Garden fences are having to be repaired or renewed because of damage caused by some individuals who loiter in the lane.

Roly Poly Lane is really a path, rather than a lane, because of its narrowness. The path is a pedestrian route connecting East Street (opposite the Rose & Crown public house) with Roly Poly Steps at the lower end of which is the north-east gate to the Lake Pleasure Grounds (Town Park).

The petition is solely from a group of Plants Green residents; there have been no signatures or comments from those who live in the houses of East End Avenue on the west side of Roly Poly Lane.

The Chairman Of The Highways Department, Wiltshire Council, William McKanan-Jones, found it peculiar that no one on that side of the footpath had signed the petition. Lt. Commander Peter Whitehead, Chairman of the Southern Panel of Wiltshire County Council, said “They probably haven’t been asked.”

The Southern Panel of Wiltshire County Council is in favour of closing Roly Poly Lane. Lt. Commander Whitehead stated he was authorised to give the go-ahead for the closure procedure if no one objects. The procedure would still allow rights of objection.

Wiltshire County Council and Warminster Town Council have expressed their desire to hear the views of East End Avenue residents, whether they want the path closed or not.

Mrs. Jill Meikle, Assistant County Solicitor, said Wiltshire County Council can not make an order for the closure of the path if Wiltshire District Council or Warminster Town Council object.

Warminster Town Council has made known it has no strong argument either way concerning the accessibility of the path but stated they would be happy to go along with any decision made by the County Council.

John Wall, who lives in Warminster and is a councillor (Conservative), said he had received only one representation and that was from a person who thought it would be a pity if Roly Poly Lane was closed. Mr. Wall stated he was aware of “considerable damage” to the fences on the Plants Green side and that some of these which had been torn down by vandals had been renewed, only to be torn down again. Mr. Wall added his personal opinion that “The path does not serve a particularly useful purpose.”

A spokesman for Warminster Rights Of Way Preservation Society stated that the Society had no strong feelings either way about Roly Poly Lane but thought it would be a shame to lose it.

The Senior Administration Assistant of the Highways Department, Wiltshire County Council, Mr. John Rogers, said that the Roly Poly Lane footpath was not on the definitive map but it had been intended to add it to the map at the next review.

The County Surveyor, Mr. John Davies, was charged with the responsibility of preserving public rights-of-way. He accepted there had been serious vandalism in the vicinity but he said he could see no highway reason why Roly Poly Lane should be closed.

Plants Green, Warminster, 1980

In Christ Church, Warminster, The First 150 Years, a booklet published in October 1980, to celebrate the 150th birthday of Christ Church, the Rev. John C. Day (Vicar) writes:

[Plants Green] Before the homes were built here was another nursery garden known as Wheelers and famous for a certain strain of cabbage it produced [Wheeler’s Imperial].