Tycoon scales down holiday home plan

2:27pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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FORMER newspaper tycoon Eddy Shah found a way to beat Fleet Street printing unions but is finding North Wiltshire District Council harder to handle.

Mr Shah wants to build 30 holiday homes at his golf club in Wootton Bassett but planners are set to turn the proposal down on Wednesday.

A similar proposal for 39 homes was rejected in February and, despite his scaling down the project, council officers are still recommending it be refused.

They say the homes would spoil the rural landscape and there are still too many of them.

But Mr Shah said: "The key issue is we have been the single biggest investor in the area and we have invested nearly £8 million.

"We are also the second biggest employer in the area, having gone from six people when we took over in 2001 to employing nearly 100 people. We have put a lot into the community."

In 2006 council planners rejected a bid for 123 holiday units but allowed 44 after deciding the original plan was too big for the rural area.

"The council were not happy with the designs because some were very modernistic, which we felt was right, but they wanted more traditional," he said.

"We are now in a position where we have done what we were asked to do. We have crossed all the boxes.

"We got planning permission the first time so there is no reason we should not get it again."

The homes which, if approved, will be built over three years, are up for sale to private buyers and estate agents.

But Peter Pennington-Legh, who lives at neighbouring Vastern Manor, is against the plans and feels extra holiday homes are not necessary for a town like Wootton Bassett.

He said: "What interest is there for the tourists? Are there ancient monuments or theatres or Roman walls?

"What is there to want to come to Wootton Bassett for? It is a falsehood."

Mr Pennington-Legh also attacked Mr Shah's claims he employs almost 100 people on the site.

"The people who work there are being bussed in. Show me 100 people," he said. "There is no way 100 people could be employed there.

"It is a holiday village. Are people going to have butlers? What are people going to do in a holiday resort?

"He is basing his arguments on falsehoods."

Wootton Bassett Town Council has not objected to the proposal. Wiltshire County Council wants a condition to make sure parking areas are maintained.