BROKERSWOOD Country Park will be turned into a holiday destination after plans were approved by Wiltshire Council at a planning meeting today (Wednesday, August 10).

The application for the former popular visitor attraction, around four miles from Westbury, was submitted by Windsor-based holiday company Haulfryn in February.

Following approval, the site will now become a luxury holiday destination complete with 90 wooden holiday lodges, 20 touring units and 10 camping pods.

Speaking after the decision, Dilton Marsh parish councillor Alison Irving said: “I am very disappointed that the application has been approved for many reasons.

“Our main concerns centre on traffic, which is already bad enough in the village as it is – we are under threat from all directions.

“We are also worried about noise and light pollution. Families will be staying at the site all year round, so there will be no respite, unlike before.

“It’s good that they are going to consider another exit route to alleviate pressure but this is still going to have a massive impact on Dilton Marsh's residents.”

Since opening in 1968, Brokerswood has been a popular attraction for families and campers with an outdoor pursuit area, café, adventure course and miniature railway track.

But earlier this year, the park’s owners declared that they planned to bring it to an end to preserve the land, as they feared that 50,000 daily visitors were beginning to take their toll.

Members from local parish councils including Southwick and North Bradley argued that the development goes against planning policy as it 'changes the use of the land'.

But case officer Jemma Foster dismissed those claims, saying that the site would not be changed drastically, only the ‘type of visitor would change.’

Seven councillors voted in favour of the plans and three, including chairman of the committee Christopher Newbury and Hilperton Cllr Ernie Clark, voted against.

The latter had reservations based on the potential damage to the environment which may come as a result of the development.