AN APPEAL over a travellers pitch in Chapmanslade is set to begin later this month.

Mr Hughes had applied for a change of use of land south west of Black Dog Hill to allow him to site two pitches, two mobile homes, two touring caravans and two day rooms.

In reviewing the bid, council planning officers wrote: “Proposals for new gypsy and traveller pitches or travelling show people plots/yards will only be granted where there is no conflict with other planning policies and where no barrier to development exists.”

Wiltshire Times: Land on the south west side of Black Dog Hill VIA GOOGLE MAPSLand on the south west side of Black Dog Hill VIA GOOGLE MAPS

However, officers said Mr Hughes’ plans would be an “unjustified development” and would result in harm to the character and appearance of the area.

Officers also said that the site would lead to increased access to the A36 which would have an “unacceptable impact on highway safety”.

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“Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development would provide adequate levels of amenity for future occupiers given its close proximity to the A36,” planning officers continued in their rejection of the bid.

“Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development can be serviced by essential services such as water, power and drainage.”

Since this rejection, Mr Hughes has launched a planning appeal where an inspector will determine if his plans can go ahead or not.

The appeal is set to take place on Tuesday, January 25 at St John’s Parish and Conference Centre, Trowbridge at 10am.