A TRAVELLERS’ pitch including mobile home and cesspit could be allowed to stay in Sutton Benger if plans are given approval by Wiltshire councillors next week.

The application, registered in November 2016, will go before Wiltshire Council next week at a strategic planning meeting on February 8, despite claims from residents that a mobile home has already been placed on the land.

The application is for one Gypsy and traveller pitch, a day room, a static home and two parking spaces, a mobile home, space for a garden and the siting of a cesspit.

Sutton Benger Parish Council has objected to the application on the grounds that a previous application for the site in 1999 was rejected and that residents in the local community strongly oppose the plans.

Norman Davis, a parish councillor, said: “The site was just wasteland and is basically land that has been neglected for a number of years.

“It has annoyed the local residents up Seagry Hill, they’re quite upset by it because they’re quite a compact community.

“A caravan has been there since probably before Christmas, it’s quite recent, along with a sewage system.”

A number of residents have written to Wiltshire Council to object to the application, with many feeling it to be out of character for the area.

Matthew Boast said: “If you look into the history there have been several plans put in before for houses and all these have been rejected.

“As a residential street the purposed site is totally out of character in terms of appearance with existing dwellings being so close on a narrow road and right opposite several houses.”

Michael and Elaine Strong, residents on Seagry Hill, commented: “This planning application is retrospective to the actual development, and the proper planning procedures have not been enforced by the council.

“This is a major let-down to the residents of Seagry Hill who as a result may well have concerns over what future unauthorised developments will go unchecked.”