• Above: Mexican restaurant plan for former convenience store

News New Mexican restaurant plan for former city convenience store

A NEW Mexican restaurant could be set to open in Salisbury.

A planning application has been submitted to convert the premises currently occupied by Charlie’s Store, in Catherine Street, into a property suitable to house an eatery.

Safeline Training and Consultancy has submitted the plans, which would see the erection of an extractor flue as well as internal changes to the ground floor layout of the building.

The new restaurant would be called Mr Burrito, according to the plans.

“The business operator of Charlie’s Store is well established and had been operating at this location for a number of years as a general store and off-licence,” the document says.

“The operator has been doing well and so now there is a need for expansion in order to cope with demand.”

The store is relocating to 21 Catherine Street, it adds, outlining the new plans for the vacated premises.

“The commercial unit will become vacant and so he would like to open a restaurant in place of the store,” it says.

“The restaurant would cater to a seating capacity of around 25-30 people and provide takeaway services, however most of the trade would be from seated customers.”

The plans relate to the installation of the extraction flue and changes to the layout to cater for seating and kitchens.

“We are not seeking to extend the property,” the application adds. “All works will be retained within the existing footprint.”

Signage would also remain consistent with the current design, allowing for the name change to Mr Burrito, according to the plans.

“Externally, the proposal retains the existing shop front, so there are no external alterations to the street scene,” it says.

“The shopping centre and

Charlie’s Store is set to be replaced by Mr Burrito

Picture: Wiltshire Council

commercial units are backing onto the rear elevation of the property, hence now windows on the opposite side.

“Internally, a new canopy and ducting system, seating area and a bar (staff served to seated customers only) will be constructed.”

A consultation over the plans is now underway.

For more details on the plans and to comment, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2022/09235.

Four people injured in fivevehicle crash on the A36

FOUR people have been taken to hospital after a five-vehicle crash near Salisbury.

The incident happened on the A36 at Pepperbox Hill at around 11.37am on Wednesday morning (December 14).

Four ambulances, an operations officer and a rapid response vehicle were sent to the scene, as well as two fire crews from Salisbury.

A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters carried out on scene casualty care and all persons involved were able to exit the vehicles.”

Crews worked with police and ambulance staff to help those involved and make the scene safe, they added.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said there were ‘no reported serious injuries’.

The road was closed temporarily for recovery but re-opened at around 3pm.

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MP pays visit to city hub for Ukrainians

UKRAINIAN refugees and their host families in Salisbury were joined by the city’s MP for a special Christmas event.

Conservative John Glen, who is the First Secretary to the Treasury as well as being the Salisbury MP, paid a visit to the Ukraine Hub, based at the Methodist Church.

They were celebrating the festive season with carols.

“It was a joy to join Salisbury’s Ukraine Hub today for carols and fellowship,” he said. “I am very proud of Salisbury’s hosts and the wonderful way they and their guests support and care for each other through our dynamic hub.”

The Salisbury Hub was set up in April 2022 to provide a support network for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts.

“We have done this under the auspices of the Salisbury Methodist Church which has generously provided space and additional support,” a spokesperson said.

“We are here for people of any faith (or none) and for anyone from the city or surrounding areas who wishes to network with other families who are hosting, seeks assistance around the process of hosting a Ukrainian family and their Ukrainian guests, or who has their own offer of help, advice or skills.”

For more information, visit salisburyukrainehub.org.uk.

Larkhill Centre marks end of Army Basing Project

THE official opening of the Larkhill Medical and Dental Centre in Wiltshire took place recently, signifying the end of the Army Basing Programme (ABP).

The £13m facility is the first in Wiltshire to offer a shared MOD and NHS Primary Healthcare provision.

The centre comprises two GP practices (MOD and NHS) with consulting and treatment rooms.

Each practice also features a dispensary. Housed within the building is a Defence Primary Health Care (DPHC) Dental Centre consisting of 12 dental chairs with supporting equipment.

Minister for defence personnel, veterans and service families Dr Andrew Murrison said: “I was delighted to open the Larkhill Medical and Dental Centre. It is truly state-of-theart. Delivered under the successful Army Basing Programme, it rightly provides the very best primary care facilities and is a model for Defence-NHS cooperation.

“It has been incredibly useful to see first-hand how this investment has not only benefited our service personnel but also the local community.”

The Army Basing Programme has delivered the government’s 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) commitment to bring all UK military units back from Germany by 2020, and to move and re-role military units to implement the Army 2020 Plan, generating savings building to £240m per year.

Director basing and infrastructure, Major General Richard Clements, said: “The £1.8bn investment in the estate under the Army Basing Programme has truly made a difference to our service personnel, their families and local communities across the UK.

“Infrastructure is actually about people, not buildings, and

The centre was opened by Minister for defence personnel, veterans and service families Dr Andrew Murrison

this facility perfectly embodies that.

“We are committed to creating sustainable environments in which all of our people can better live, work and train.”

Warren Webster, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, MPP programme director – Army, the project was the result of a lot of detailed planning. “The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), alongside the Army, has worked closely with local authorities, the NHS and other government departments and local service providers to ensure enough housing, schooling, medical, welfare and dental provision has been made available to support the Army Basing Programme,” he said.

The centre was built on the land surrounding Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which resulted in a number of considerations being developed in consultation with the Planning Authority and English Heritage before work could begin.

These were incorporated into the design of the building and adjacent areas, to ensure that the sight line from Stonehenge was not affected.

Fiona Slevin-Brown, director of place – Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Since its completion in 2020, this bespoke facility has been used during the COVID-19 pandemic as a mass vaccination centre by both DPHC and the NHS.

“Now, we look forward to providing comprehensive health care to those in the armed forces, their families and the wider local community.”

Commander defence primary healthcare, Brigadier Phil Carter, said: “The facility also acts as a training practice for the MOD, supporting the training and development of all medical specialties including combat medical technicians, nursing students, foundation doctors, general duties medical officers and general practice trainees.

“The commitment to provide top quality treatment and support for those under our care is epitomised in the Larkhill facility, cementing Wiltshire’s position as a hub for future military healthcare services.”

Aspire Defence chief executive, Allan Thomson, added: “I am thrilled to be in attendance to showcase the excellent standard of infrastructure which Aspire Defence continues to deliver on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and the army.”

Downton fly-tippers convicted following three-month operation

AN ORGANISED fly-tipping gang has been convicted for fly-tipping and burning waste.

The group appeared at Winchester Crown Court following a three-month covert camera operation and investigation by Wiltshire Council environmental enforcement officers.

They were caught dumping large amounts of green waste, household waste and white goods on an access road leading to a traveller site at Lode Hill, near Downton.

On November 18 at Winchester Crown Court, fines and costs were handed out to the gang totalling £14,500.

Shane Griggs of Bracken Road, North Baddesley, Hampshire; Jason Castle of Wellow Wood Road, West Wellow, Hampshire; and Daniel Whittaker of Magnolia Walk, Abbotswood, Hampshire, were convicted of depositing controlled waste (fly-tipping) with no environmental permit.

Also convicted were Luke Edwards of Verwood Road, Wimborne, Dorset, and Michael Whittaker of Meadow Close, West Wellow, Hampshire, who are directors of Romsey & Chandlers Ford Tree & Landscaping Services.

They were convicted of a more serious offence of operating a regulated facility on land without an environmental permit by burning waste, including a fridge.

Edwards, Griggs and Michael Whittaker were all residents at the Lode Hill Traveller Site, Downton, Wiltshire at the time of the offences.

The offenders were part of several tree and landscaping firms who collected waste of all types as part of their business activity.

They were filmed over a three-month period on an access road leading to a traveller site at Lode Hill near Downton.

The offenders were using the site access road as a waste dumping ground. Much of the waste was burnt, including green waste, a fridge, carpet and general waste, causing environmental damage to the surrounding area.

The council’s enforcement officers were alerted to the gang’s activities by local people, leading to regular monitoring of the area through covert cameras.

Once the required evidence was gathered, environmental enforcement officers spent many hours painstakingly going through the footage to catch the fly-tippers in action.

Council officers then joined officers from Wiltshire Police to arrest the offenders, who were interviewed under caution.

Although the prosecution began in the Magistrates Court, the case was referred for trial to the Crown Court after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland,

Fly-tipping, like the example above, is a blight on rural communities Credit: Pixabay

cabinet member for waste, said: “This organised fly-tipping gang was prolific in destroying the local environment in this area.

“Not only were they avoiding lawful disposal costs by dumping this and not using approved waste sites, but they were also damaging the surrounding areas by burning waste including white goods, which gave off poisonous fumes.

“This successful prosecution is the result of many years of painstaking work by our environmental enforcement team. The team was tenacious in its pursuit of this gang, who claimed to have no involvement at the time.

“However, our ability to apprehend offenders by utilising cameras was key in proving that these people were the culprits in this long-running case.

“As set out in our business plan, we have committed to pursuing further prosecutions on fly-tipping, and to help with this we have invested significant funding into more cameras and more officers to catch these environmental criminals in the act throughout Wiltshire.

“Our message to any potential fly-tippers is clear: ‘We’re Targeting Fly-tippers’ and we will prosecute anyone who thinks it is acceptable to dump their waste in our beautiful county.”

To find out more about the council’s We’re Targeting Fly-tippers (WTF) campaign, and to find out more about how to prevent fly-tipping, visit: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ fly-tipping

Father and son hairdressers from Salisbury celebrate winning prestigious awards just a week apart

A SALISBURY hairdresser has been named Men’s Hairdresser of the Year at the 2022 British Hairdressers Awards.

George Smith, who works at Tony&Guy in the city, was presented with the award by comedian Katherine Ryan in front of an audience of 1,300 at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane.

On receiving the award, George said: “Thank you guys, I love you so much.”

“What an honour to stand on the same stage that both my mum and dad have – thank you so much.”

Both of George’s parents are multi-award winning hairdressers based in the city.

Days later, George’s father, Phil Smith was awarded the title of Individual Salon of the Year for Smith England, which is located 51 High Street, Salisbury at the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Awards.

News PCC announces preferred candidate for Wiltshire Police chief constable

POLICE and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has announced Catherine Roper as the preferred candidate for the next chief constable of Wiltshire Police. Catherine is currently a Commander (Cdr) within the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Announcing Cdr Roper as his preferred appointment for the role, Mr Wilkinson said he was impressed by the breadth of policing experience being brought to the county.

Mr Wilkinson said: “After a comprehensive selection process I am delighted to announce Catherine as my preferred candidate for Wiltshire Police’s next Chief Constable.

“Catherine is an exceptionally strong candidate and brings with her decades of experience within challenging policing environments alongside a different perspective and view to police delivery in the county. I am extremely pleased she has chosen Wiltshire to continue her successful policing career.

“I believe Catherine will be an inspirational leader. She has a track record of delivering a high-performing police function, fighting crime but also working closely with local authorities and partner agencies to drive change and ensure Wiltshire Police delivers a quality policing service that our residents want and deserve.

“I look forward to working closely with her as we both strive towards the goal of making Wiltshire safer.”

The rigorous selection process included sessions with two stakeholder panels – one made up of officers and staff within Wiltshire Police and an

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external stakeholder panel with representatives from OPCC partners, charities and commissioned services, as well as members of the PCC’s Youth Commission.

Cdr Roper also impressed the interview panel, which featured chief constable Andy Marsh – chief executive of the College of Policing, Matt Parr – His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire Services, as well as the PCC and two other independent panel members.

Mr Wilkinson’s preferred appointment of Cdr Roper is now subject to confirmation by Wiltshire and Swindon’s Police and Crime Panel – this hearing is expected to take place on January 12, 2023.

Cdr Roper joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 2000 and began her career in frontline policing. Her progression has seen her take several high-profile roles including within specialist intelligence and surveillance command.

Cdr Roper has also worked within the Specialist Protection Command, responsible for the armed protection of politicians and high-profile VIPs and also spent time in Royalty Protection, responsible for armed protection of the Royal Family.

In 2022, Cdr Roper was made responsible for Central Specialist Crime, which includes tackling the most serious organised criminality including economic and cyber crime; modern slavery and organised immigration crime; online child sexual exploitation, kidnaps and the Flying Squad, in addition to a range of high profile, complex and sensitive investigations.

In addition to her MPS responsibilities, Catherine holds the National Child and Young Person (CYP) portfolio, and is a Post Incident Manager for firearms incidents, as well as previously being a Strategic Firearms Commander.

Cdr Roper added: “I am honoured and delighted to be selected as the PCCs preferred candidate to be the chief constable of Wiltshire Police. I am committed to working with the communities and partners of Wiltshire and Swindon to provide the best possible policing service, building on Kier Pritchard’s exceptional dedication.

“I very much look forward to working with the officers and staff of Wiltshire Police, together with the PCC Philip Wilkinson and his team.”

Cdr Roper was chosen as the PCC’s preferred candidate following an intensive formal application and interview process, in accordance with national regulations.

This appointment comes after Chief Constable Kier Pritchard announced in November he would be retiring after 30 years in policing in June 2023.