Bishops withdraw plans to build school block at Friary Lane

Bishop Wordsworth's School applied for permission to replace temporary education buildings backing onto Friary Lane with a 10.4m permanent building on June 19.

This was met with steep criticism from neighbours, one of which said the plans would have 'destroyed' his quality of life and intruded on his privacy if they were approved.

The Journal understands the school withdrew its application on or before Thursday, August 3.

The proposed site for the three-storey building overlooking Friary Lane. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

Neil Harrison lives next door to the land owned by Bishops, on Friary Lane, and he's "very pleased" the application has been withdrawn.

Read more: Friary Lane resident says school's plans would 'ruin' his life

The 54-year-old engineer installed a wooden board filled with planning documents outside his house to bring attention to the "ridiculous" plans.

Now, he's drawn a love heart with a 'thank you' message to the councillors who guided him through the opposition.

A 'thank you' message on Neil Harrison's notice board. (Image: Salisbury Journal)

He said: "It simply makes no sense to do this when there are empty buildings owned by the church falling into disrepair that could be used, including the beautiful Leaden Hall school which can be accessed safely from the back of Bishops school.

See more: ​Royal Mail driver caught using device while driving in Salisbury

"Their plans would result in students crossing the 30mph Exeter Street in large numbers to move between classes which common sense tells us is a daft idea. Society doesn't want public money funding schemes that expose children to harm."

In less than two months, 69 comments were made on Wiltshire Council's website objecting to the plans.

Comments on Wiltshire Council's planning website. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Harrison said he's grateful to both Journal readers and Salisbury City councillors who supported his opposition to the plans.

"I am glad they are not building in the garden next to me as we are a quiet neighbourhood, this is a great place to live, the garden is full of wildlife here and I would like that to continue," he added.

Read also:​ Inquest opens into death of missing Bournemouth man

Wiltshire Councillor Sven Hocking said: "The application clearly did not meet any number of planning criteria and was nothing more than a speculative 'let’s have a go for the biggest thing we can and see what happens'. 

"That said, the application was withdrawn by the applicant before it was rejected by WC so I would expect BWS to retreat for now, but, I suspect they’ll come back with something else in due course. Watch this space."

To read the full planning application (PL/2023/03504) visit development.wiltshire.gov.uk/pr/s/planning-application/a0i3z00001AasjdAAB/pl202303504?tabset-8903c=3