The recent prevention of the extension to the Compton Bassett waste transfer station is more than just a victory for the campaigners, it is also a personal victory for Councillor Toby Sturgis who was instrumental in the creation of the new strategic planning process that enabled this to happen.

The formal adoption of the Wiltshire Core Strategy in January marked the end of a five-year project costing Wiltshire Council several million pounds.

Coun Sturgis justified this expense by highlighting that it would be impossible for speculative developers to play the system, making him the champion of the oppressed neighbour, who now has legal support to reasonable objections that were previously destined to futility at the hands of a one-sided system. Last week’s decision clearly proves that it works, as the application was undoubtedly speculative. Firstly, it sought to make permanent a 20-year temporary permission guaranteeing the return of the site to farmland on expiry next year – neighbours of proposed green energy projects take note. Secondly, with the applicant’s waste-processing contract with Wiltshire Council expiring in 2017, such an expansion could potentially have influenced decision-making on future competitive-tender processes.

In proposing approval, council planning officers had ignored their own guidelines, despite clear evidence from objectors with regard to the application breaking numerous policies in the Core Strategy, particularly on air pollution and sustainability. However, a QC speaking at the meeting advised councillors that rubber-stamping this would result in an illegal act, due to those policies being enshrined in law, and they followed his recommendation to overrule their officers.

Which begs the question as to why, within months of its approval, those same planning officers are now proposing major changes to the Core Strategy that would water down many of its hard-won protections.

Malcolm Toogood, Sandpiper Gardens, Chippenham.