A proposed traveller site has had its planning application refused due to its low quality and safety concerns.

The application was for 12 residential caravans and to build a dayroom and hardstanding off Nightingale Lane, South Marston in east Swindon.

However, the site proposed by Green Planning Studio Ltd on behalf of James Buckland was decided to be unsuitable, providing low-quality amenities to its residents with traffic safety worries.(Image: Dave Cox)

A council document states: “Due to the proposed layout and lack of communal gardens and play space provision, the scheme fails to achieve a good design or quality of amenity for future occupants.”

It was deemed “an unsustainable countryside location, located some distance from amenities and with poor access to amenities and sustainable modes of transport.”

Thirdly, “the application has failed to demonstrate that suitable and safe site access can be achieved and that the proposals would have an acceptable impact on pedestrian safety along Nightingale Lane”.This plot of land enclosed by trees between solar panels and Nightingale Lane would have been used for 12 traveller caravan pitches (Image: Google Maps)

The safety concerns echo widespread complaints made by the public, such as one by Lauren Bugiel of Magdalene Close from the beginning of the year.

Lauren said: “The village has already seen a large increase in traffic and speeding so to further increase this is just dangerous.

“There are no footpaths down Nightingale Lane, a popular walking destination for the people who live here, so more cars and speeding down these roads puts everyone at risk, especially those with animals and children.”How the 12 pitches would have fitted onto the land near Nightingale Lane (Image: Swindon Borough Council)

She added: “The residents of the village are a mixture of people, with many young families who expected a quiet, rural upbringing, not building sites popping up at every opportunity and overpopulation of a small village.”

A Manor Park homeowner said: “The South Marston Neighbourhood Plan says that no residential development should be permitted off Nightingale Lane.(Image: Dave Cox)

“The village has agreed to a huge increase in residential properties over the coming years. More are not acceptable.”

The council report also states: “The proposed development would also be located within and thus lead to the erosion of an anti-coalescence strip which offers separation between South Marston and the new village of Rowborough.”(Image: Dave Cox)

There have been calls for more sites for Gypsies and travellers in the local area, with neighbouring Wiltshire Council aiming to find 128 new pitches and seven new sites by 2038.

The consultation period for the Gypsy and Traveller plan has ended and Wiltshire Council will now begin reviewing all the comments received.

The application was submitted by Green Planning Studio Ltd on behalf of James Buckland and is subject to appeal.

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