THE sons of a Salisbury philanthropist who died in January have submitted plans outlining their intention to build houses in his garden.

Charles and Julian Benson lodged an outline planning application to build nine dwellings on land at Paul's Dene House on March 5.

The brothers are seeking approval to erect a mixture of four and five-bedroom detached houses, each complete with a garage, which would face onto a new access road off Castle Road.

The dwellings will all have open plan kitchen/living/dining spaces to the rear which can open onto the garden areas along with separate living spaces.

The land belonged to their parents. Their father,  Sir Christopher Benson, died on January 21.

Salisbury Journal: The entrance to Paul's Dene House, off Castle Road.The entrance to Paul's Dene House, off Castle Road. (Image: Newsquest)

In 1965, the garden was subject to planning permission for 24 houses with garages 12 maisonettes which was given a Certificate of Lawfulness in 2007, confirming the outline consent was still valid.

However, the brothers think a "less dense scheme" would be "more in keeping with the surroundings and respectful of Paul's Dene House".

Salisbury Journal: Aerial view of land at Paul's Dene House.Aerial view of land at Paul's Dene House. (Image: Google Maps)

There will be a new access road, "robust mature landscape scheme" and each dwelling will have private amenity space, a garage, off-road parking and turning area.

A spokesperson for Birch Architects, who supplied a design and access statement, wrote: "It has been carefully designed to provide a mix of dwelling types with ample off road parking, generous rear garden amenity space, natural surveillance to the street and complimentary to Pauls Dene House."

The planning statement adds: "It has been demonstrated that the proposed access point to the residential development is acceptable and that the proposals would generate a modest level of additional vehicular movements.

"In summary, the accompanying technical reports have confirmed that the proposals would not result in any adverse impacts that cannot be adequately mitigated. It is therefore respectfully requested that this outline planning application is approved subject to any conditions that are reasonably necessary". 

The planning application (PL/2024/02541) is under consultation until April 25 and Wiltshire Council's decision deadline is June 6.