Anger over plans for travellers' site near Camilla's countryside home

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Plans to build a travellers' site half a mile from the Duchess of Cornwall's countryside home have sparked anger among her neighbours, it was revealed today.

The application would allow a reservation of around 20 caravans beside Camilla's residence in Reybridge, near Lacock, North Wiltshire.

If it is approved by the district council, visitors to the Duchess's private Rey Mill House estate would pass by the camp.

Planners had rejected the proposed development at Acres Paddock in Notton, as a flood assessment had not been provided - but the plans are expected to be resubmitted within days.

The former pony paddock was sold at auction last year for around £30,000, and the new owner is understood to have put in mains water and electricity.

A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said today: "There are six houses that back on to the property and the person who sold the paddock is distraught and she feels guilty. There is a planning blight on the area."

Another neighbour told the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: "When the paddock was sold we were all under the impression it would remain as a paddock because previous planning applications on the land had been turned down.

"Me and my neighbour are trying desperately to sell our homes and we have already had to knock off £100,000 but if this goes ahead it will never sell. We are heartbroken - this cannot happen here."

Residents have also cited problems with travellers living in nearby Thingley, two miles away.

Dick Tonge, leader of North Wiltshire District Council, said many locals felt it unacceptable to put the site next to Lacock - an untouched 13th century village largely maintained by National Trust.

He said today: "It is an inappropriate place because of the approach to Lacock. It is a unique medieval village and we have to protect an area like this. It does seem incongruous.

"We had been ordered to find 24 (travellers') sites, which has now gone up to 48 in an arbitrary way. It seems irrational when West Wiltshire have only had to find three.

"This is not a hate campaign against gypsies and travellers, it is just that this is a sensitive area that should be protected. There's nowhere like it in the UK.

"In Thingley there is a huge gypsy site and there is a feeling that the area is getting overloaded."

The village is famous for its cloistered abbey, and the photographic pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot. Period dramas like Pride and Prejudice, and Cranford as well as Harry Potter have been filmed there.

Since her marriage to the Prince of Wales, Camilla has spent much of her time at Highgrove, Charles's home in Gloucestershire.

Clarence House, which represents the Prince of Wales and his family has been asked to comment.