Traveller site near Swindon approved by planning committee

The site is located at Clay Pitts in Greenhill, north of Royal Wootton Bassett, and applicant Mr McDonagh now has planning permission for two mobile homes, two caravans and two dayrooms.

These plans were refused in 2022 and 2023 and have faced some local opposition but have now been redesigned to “minimise harm” to the nearby public right of way.

READ MORE: Plans for over 120 Gypsy and Traveller pitches in Wiltshire backed

The members of the public objecting to the plans at the meeting. (Image: Wiltshire Council) They were discussed at the strategic planning committee meeting in Trowbridge County Hall on Wednesday, February 12, where four councillors voted to approve the application and three voted against.

The committee heard from the planning officer that the council found itself in a “significant difference in situation” since the previous refusals due to its “inability” to provide sufficient Gypsy and Traveller sites.

Councillors were told: “The harms are outweighed by the benefits in that regard.”

However, local resident Mike Brewser and vice chairman of Lydiard Millicent Parish Council Mel Allsop voiced their objections.

Mr Brewser said he was “directly affected by this proposal” and expressed concerns over the “disruption” from potential groundwork on the site.

Cllr Allsop argued that the site wasn’t “suitable” and would go “against the general character of the area”.

Cllr Steve Bucknell claimed that the plans were “almost a carbon copy” of the previously refused applications, despite the relocation of the caravans.

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Cllr James Sheppard said: “I’m very concerned about this particular site, I think it’s very unsuitable in so many different ways.”

Not all members of the committee were convinced by their concerns though, suggesting they were not sufficient to go against the officer’s recommendation.

The case officer report read: “While the proposals will be visible from the public right of way to various levels along its route throughout the wider site, it is considered that within the context of the existing built form, it would not be glaringly incongruous.

“As such it is considered that the character and design of the proposals would not cause substantial harm to the location and what harm would be caused would be outweighed by the benefit of meeting the unmet need for sites.”

After a vote to refuse the plans failed to pass through the committee, the application was approved.