Wiltshire Council’s Planning Enforcement team has stepped in to clear a severely overgrown and rubbish-filled garden in Chippenham, after repeated complaints from local residents and failed attempts to engage with the property’s owner.
The council issued a Section 215 enforcement notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 last September, requiring the landowner to improve and clear the garden within 30 days. Despite this, the site remained untouched.
Following multiple failed attempts to negotiate with the landowner, the council used its enforcement powers to carry out the work directly, with the cost of the clearance to be recovered from the property owner.
Between April and July 2025, contractors removed 14 truckloads of waste and vegetation from both the front and rear of the property. Items cleared included:
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12 broken bicycles
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250 damaged plant pots
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58 partially used paint cans
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4 sheets of asbestos
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2 tents
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2 fridges
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5 doors
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4 window frames
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Numerous items of scaffolding and construction materials
Cllr Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, said: “We don’t expect for every home to have a show garden, but in this instance the property was severely overgrown, untidy and unsightly, which ultimately affects the look and character of the surrounding area and impacts the community.
"We tried repeatedly to negotiate with the owner to resolve the situation, but when these were ignored, we were forced to take this action and charge the clearance costs to the landowner. Enforcement is always a last resort, but we will not hesitate to act when properties fall into serious neglect and impact the wider neighbourhood.
"I’d like to thank our officers and contractors for their professional and safe handling of the clearance, including the responsible disposal of hazardous materials such as asbestos.”
The council says planning enforcement is only used when absolutely necessary, but it will continue to monitor properties that have a negative impact on their surroundings.
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