A PIECE of land which had become an eyesore for local residents has been cleared after Wiltshire Council took action following the failure of the landowner to comply with an enforcement notice.

The land opposite Grenville Sutton End at Crockerton, near Warminster, was littered with rubble, waste and old caravans, and had been the subject of complaints to the local parish council.

Using powers under section 178 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the council acted to clear the land on Tuesday, April 15.

Contractors cleared the land of all touring caravans, domestic paraphernalia, building rubble, bricks, stone, wood, plastic sheeting, plastic containers, scrap metal, aluminium kegs and general rubbish.

A formal land charge will be placed on the land for the cost of carrying out the works, which will be payable to Wiltshire Council on any future conveyance of the land.

The direct action was taken because it was the most cost effective way of addressing the breach of the enforcement notice that required the works to be carried out.

Two vulnerable people that had been living on the site have found suitable accommodation elsewhere, one with council assistance.

Toby Sturgis, cabinet member with responsibility for strategic planning, property, waste and strategic housing, said: “I hope this sends a strong signal to people that the council takes planning enforcement matters seriously.

"This site had clearly been left in a disgraceful mess. It looks so much better following the clearance, which must come as a great relief to local residents."