A GYPSY site can be built in a village near Devizes despite strong objections from the parish council and scores of letters of protest from people living nearby.

Wiltshire Council's strategic planning committee decided the plan for a traveller pitch at Blossom Hill, Seend, should be allowed even though the core strategy's target for gypsy sites had already been met.

A spokesman said: "Members expressed sympathy with the views of the local community but were informed by the planning officers that although it could be demonstrated that permission had been granted up to the recommended quota of pitches in Wiltshire, national policy stated that these quotas were to be regarded only as a minimum."

During the meeting at County Hall parish council chairman Tony Murch and other villages spoke out against the proposal on the grounds that it would be a harmful and inappropriate form of development in the countryside.

The parish council also pointed out that the site was in a area where development was strictly controlled and said: "The applicant has not provided sufficient information to enable the parish council to conclude that there are any special circumstances to justify the grant of a planning permission which would conflict with the established objective of protecting the quality and character of the countryside."

Wiltshire councillor Jonathan Seed, who represents Seend, said: "The proposed development would have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of a very sensitive area of countryside which separates Seend and Seend Cleeve."

But Romany traveller William Sherred can now go ahead with the plan to create the traveller pitch next to the A361 Trowbridge Road and for it to accommodate a caravan or mobile home, a day room and a parking area.