Wiltshire Council apologises to gypsy family for planning error near M4
"Unenforceable" condition on Grittenham site waived after appeal
Wiltshire Council has issued an apology to a gypsy family regarding a planning error associated with their site near Royal Wootton Bassett.
The family, led by John Lee, received permission in June last year to establish a four-pitch site and a commercial barn at Charlie’s Place, Grittenham.
Their planning success came after an initial refusal by Wiltshire Council's strategic planning committee in 2024, but it included 23 planning conditions.
However, the council later confessed that one particular condition concerning landscape planting and its future maintenance was "erroneous and unenforceable."
A planning official acknowledged the issue in correspondence with Mr Lee, noting that the condition's indefinite landscape replacement requirement lacked appropriate reasoning.
The official suggested tying the replacement clause to the site's occupation instead of completion for effective enforcement.
Following this oversight, the council registered a significant upheld complaint, offering "sincere apologies" for falling short of their aspirational standards in this aspect.
Wiltshire Council has since invited Mr Lee to apply for the condition's variation, rectifying the planning oversight.