Plans for almost 50 holiday caravans to be placed on site near Chippenham have been rejected.

The application to add 44 statics for holiday purposes to Plough Lane Caravan Site, in Kingston Langley, as well as replace existing touring pitches was unanimously rejected by the Council at a planning meeting on December 7.

These plans were controversial with many objections from the public, the parish council and Wiltshire Councillor for the area, Howard Greenman.

The objections at the planning meeting centred around the danger of the holiday homes becoming permanently occupied and turning into a new housing estate.

Objections were also raised over the lack of any clear drainage systems being mentioned in the application.

Despite the public outcry over the plans, council officers had recommended that the plans be approved but the result was up to councillors who rejected it, although the applicants can still appeal.

The applicants were also looking to extend their operating times from 11 to 12 months a year.

One comment on the application summed up the concerns of many and says: “The size of the development is entirely out of keeping with Kington Langley, a small village: this is essentially 44 modest houses added to a village of 316 houses.

"If usage is allowed 12 months a year then it will encourage permanent occupancy. (Presenting proof of another address is not a guarantee that the lodges won’t be used full-time.)

"If these are indeed holiday homes, why does the application not include any mention of a shut-down period for the entire site, as is done with other holiday parks?

"Full-time usage of these lodges would put stress on local resources (doctors, roads, schools, etc.), with no counter-balancing benefit.

"The application allows for 88 cars to be to-ing and fro-ing, which we suspect is far greater usage than at present. We are concerned there could be sub-letting, usage for AirBnB etc which would encourage difficult-to-control antisocial behaviour.”

Another said: “This looks horrendous! We have no amenities in this village and only a 2 hourly bus service. If all the units were rented out that is at least another 88 people, most of whom will presumably have a vehicle of some sort.”

Overall, 91 objections were recorded.

Permission was granted in 2000 for the use of the land for up to 60 touring caravans for 11 months a year and for storage of up to 20 touring caravans.