South Marston caravan site plans opposed by residents

Green Planning Studio Ltd applied on behalf of James Buckland to make empty land off Nightingale Lane suitable for 12 residential pitches. 

But these plans were met with strong resistance from residents who expressed their opposition earlier this month. 

Now, dozens more locals have written to Swindon Borough Council to voice their opinion.

As of February 22, there have been 107 public comments, almost all of which are against the development. 

This doesn't yet include South Marston Parish Council, although the local authority has drafted an objection that was discussed for sign-off on February 20 at a meeting.

In it, the council said that no consideration had been made for the New Eastern Villages development with Nightingale Lane remaining a single rural road. 

It also argued that the proposed development would detract from the intentions of the local plan which states 'housing development in the hinterland north of Nightingale Lane would be unacceptable'. 

Issues with flooding, sewage, public transport and issues with logistically installing the proposed mobile homes and inadequate facilities were also raised. 

The caravan site plans off Nightingale Lane in Swindon Photo: Swindon Borough Council (Image: Swindon Borough Council)

Borough councillor Matthew Vallender has also shared his thoughts with a written objection. 

He said: "I am writing to object in the strongest terms possible to the application for the change of use of land off Nightingale Lane to the stationing of residential caravans."

He says the plans contravene both the local plan for South Marston and the current policy for travellers' sites and has lent his support to the drafted comments from the parish council which are yet to be submitted. 

Members of the public have also had their say. 

A couple living in Yew Tree Gardens were worried about access to Nightingale Woods. 

They said: "Nightingale Lane is a single-track road with few passing places. The track has become busier with non-local traffic over recent years making it harder and more dangerous for us to access nightgale wood by foot."

Another couple from Church Ground pointed to previously failed applications for the same site.

They said: "Guidance states that sites should not be identified for gypsy and traveller use, in locations that are inappropriate for ordinary residential dwellings. Two recent planning applications for development off Nightingale Lane were recently declined."