A traveller site near Swindon has been approved despite previous rejections and local concerns. Key benefits outweighed negatives.
These plans failed in 2022 and 2023. Locals did not fully support the original idea. The plans changed to lessen impact on a path. It is a public right of way nearby.
The council met in Trowbridge on February 12. They talked about these plans there. Four council members voted yes on the application. Three council members voted no on it. The planning officer spoke to the committee.
The officer described a major shift. The council lacked sufficient Gypsy and Traveller sites. They were in a different situation now. Council members heard a key statement. The benefits outweigh the negatives in this case.
Mike Brewser and Mel Allsop disagreed with this idea. They shared their objections to the council. Mr. Brewser said the plan affected him directly. He worried about disruption from digging at the location.
Council member Allsop felt the site was unsuitable. It would clash with the area’s character. Steve Bucknell said the plans were almost identical. This was despite moving the caravans slightly. James Sheppard voiced similar concerns about the site. He thought it had many issues.
Some committee members were not convinced. They felt concerns lacked enough weight. They considered the officer’s advice. A report addressed the visibility from a public path. The report claimed the structures would not clash greatly.
The existing buildings make the visual impact less. The design would not cause substantial harm. The need for sites outweighs any harm. A vote to reject the plan failed. Finally, the application received approval from the committee.