A WARMINSTER couple believe their lives would become a nightmare if a proposed gypsy caravan site behind their house is given planning permission.

Eric and Christine Tomes are against the application which would see four Romani Gypsy pitches, four mobile homes, touring caravans and a septic tank placed on land along Bath Road.

Mr Tomes said: “Our biggest concern is we don’t really want a gypsy site three metres from the back of our home.

“I know they have to have somewhere to live but it’s just too close, especially when they plan to have a children’s play area immediately next to our back garden.

“The other problem is it’s not suitable for a travellers' site because it floods and I’m worried that if they raise the ground up it is going to flood us.

“If we wanted to, how are we going to sell this house if they put that there, that’s not a consideration in the planning.”

The application by the land owner Jeremy Barney was initially withdrawn before it went to Wiltshire Council earlier this year, after a reassessment of the site was conducted.

It was resubmitted at the start of September and a consultation period will now last until October 7 allowing residents to voice their concerns before it is brought before Wiltshire Council and a decision made by October 29.

Mr and Mrs Tomes, who have lived at the house on Bath Road for 25 years and are now retired, believe their neighbours will also oppose the application which would mean access to the site gained via Bath Road.

Mr Tomes added: “We and our neighbours will be getting together again and we will all have to write objections to the application.

“We will have to go to our local council again. Last time they rejected it and we will have to hope they reject it again.

“I’m concerned though that even if it is rejected by Wiltshire Council, if it goes to appeal it will be pushed through.”

Mrs Tomes added: “It would change the area for all of us if it was built and it’s not a nice situation to be in.”