Traveller site near Royal Wootton Bassett rejected

Plans for a three pitch caravan site in Clyffe Pypard, near Royal Wootton Bassett, were submitted in 2023

A planning application for a traveller site has been refused after it was judged to be "unacceptable in principle".

Plans for a three pitch caravan site in Clyffe Pypard, near Royal Wootton Bassett, were submitted in 2023, after planning officers found four touring caravans and parking for several vehicles had been established without planning permission.

Despite the applicant arguing the pitches would not cause "any other demonstrable harm", local residents disagreed and Wiltshire Council rejected the proposals.

Local resident, Richard Ferguson said: “The proposed site has already had a major negative impact on the area and current residents.

'Unsustainable location'

“It is too close to existing properties and too small to accommodate the number of people on the current application let alone even more families in the future," he said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Clyffe Pypard Parish Council and Tockenham Parish Council also objected to the plans.

On refusing the application, Wiltshire Council said: “The site is not in a sustainable location, being distant from any settlements and any services and facilities, including those essential for education and healthcare, with diminished benefit to the occupants given the lack of access in these regards.”