Twenty two shipping containers will need to be removed from land between Warminster and Salisbury after a consultation period during which 49 emails were sent to Wiltshire Council regarding the site.

Greenhill Farm in Codford was the subject of a retrospective planning application which requested permission for the use of shipping containers which were already located on the land.

Retrospective planning permission can be granted after changes to a site have already been carried out, with a risk, however, of having the proposal refused and being legally obliged to rectify them.

This has now occurred for the applicants in this case, who received notice of Wiltshire Council’s refusal on February 8.

The proposal had stated: “The applicants who also use the site for commercial use are transforming the site into a wider modernised commercial area with many benefits from employment to commercial opportunities.

“The addition of the 22 containers in the grand scheme of the site is of very minimal impact but offers the opportunity to store items.

“The containers currently stored are mainly used for household items, gardening equipment and business storage.”

49 responses were received by the council during the consultation period, some of which referred to the site as a “graveyard for derelict vehicles” and an “eyesore.”

According to the applicants, the location has been used for almost 50 years for industrial and commercial purposes and recently gained approval to allow for a new coach depot and workshop.

Numerous residents appeared to be in support of the containers, one commenting: “We are in full support of this application.

“We have used one of these containers whilst renovating our house.

“House in Codford, container in Codford, what could be easier?

“Local affordable storage is a must, especially as a large percentage of properties don’t have a garage.”

Nevertheless, the case officer report stated: “The neighbour comments indicate this site will generate much-needed jobs for the village, which is understood.

“However, this may be the case in regard to the coach business, but with the loss of the approved business units, and the storage containers not creating any jobs, the village would not benefit in this regard.”

The report also noted that the application had offered limited information regarding the use of the containers and that when questions were asked of the agent, no response was received. 

Wiltshire Council concluded that this retrospective application would have a detrimental impact on the character and setting of the Cranborne Chase National Landscape and also on the amenity of the immediately adjacent neighbouring residential properties at Church Acre.