FIREWORK company boss Steve Martin has lost his appeal into a decision by Wiltshire Council to refuse permission for a field to be used for shipping containers to store his goods.

Planning inspector Matthew Jones visited the site at Eastcroft Farm, Eastcott, near Devizes.

In a report he said: “The development is for change of use of existing livestock field to house shipping containers to store fireworks.

“It would contain one 40ft container, three 20ft containers, one 30ft steel cabin and one 10ft steel cardboard store.

“The area will include parking for four cars and four vans.”

But he dismissed the appeal. He said the main issue was the effect of the development on the character and appearance of the area.

He said that the storage area was away from the main farm buildings and appeared prominent and visually isolated in the countryside.

He said: “Despite the green colour of the containers, the utilitarian storage facility reads as an incongruous addition to its environment.” He accepted the site had a licence and was secure.