Military bosses are proposing to create a hardstanding area on a partly grassed site in Salisbury Plain Training Area near Gore Cross, West Lavington.

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has submitted a planning application to provide a stone hardstanding for troops to muster before manoeuvres.

The area, a mixture of grass and dirt track, is next to the new track which allows vehicles to move east to west across Salisbury Plain.

DIO’s agents, WYG, said it would result in the loss of a badger sett, which would need to be closed under licence, unless proven to be inactive.

The agents said: “It is not considered that there will be any adverse impact on the wider badger population from the loss of this sett.”