A RETROSPECTIVE planning application for a static caravan at an alpaca farm in Chapmanslade has been rejected by Wiltshire Council.

Councillors argued that the application to allow a temporary rural worker's home for 24 hour access on the site was not essential for the care of the alpacas – despite being recommended for approval by the case officer.

The application at Sienna’s Valley Farm, on Huntenhull Lane, put in by former Frome councillor Sharon Snook, had been deferred by the planning committee in December to allow more information to be gathered.

Putting a motion forward to reject the proposal at the meeting in Trowbridge last Wednesday, Councillor Jonathan Seend said: “I have to challenge some of the supporting evidence that says it is essential that they have to live on site.

“We have to treat this as we would any initial application on this site and in my view we would not be happy with this mobile home.”

A number of residents expressed concern over the application at the 4.7 hectare site, which is located in a Special Landscape Area.

Dennis Barnard, vice-chairman of Chapmanslade Parish Council, said: “This caravan and paraphernalia that goes with it has caused a blotch on a much cherished part of our village and all of this was built without any permission.

“The applicant and her partner have sat on several council planning committees and knew exactly what they were doing.”

Speaking in favour of the static caravan, Derek Tanswell, a Somerset councillor and partner of the applicant Ms Snook, said: “Wiltshire Council has employed Tony Coke to scrutinise the proposal, who has represented the council at many appeals and indeed many rural worker applications that include some element of alpaca.

“Mr Coke has put the additional questions as requested by the planning board to the applicant and revised his report accordingly and he has not changed his mind, in fact has come out even more strongly in favour.

“In accordance with national policy and Wiltshire’s Core Strategy that you councillors approved, you should be all jumping up and down supporting it as it brings employment into the area in time of austerity.

“Lots was said about my experience in planning as a councillor, let’s make it clear, no planning laws have been broken on this farm contrary to what the parish council would like you to believe.”

Despite being rejected, Wiltshire Council’s independent agricultural advisor Mr Coke suggested that if an appeal was lodged it would likely be successful.

He said: “The problem with alpcas is a very high value is associated with the animal and the loss of a female can present serious difficulties for a small alpaca business.

“There’s a whole issue in my view that CCTV is not as effective as a person at the site.”