A field used by farmer Lance Beale and where dozens of pigs were slaughtered last year has been sold and will be used by a family for their horses.
Dave Johnson, of Corfe Road, Melksham, was granted planning permission by Wiltshire Council’s Eastern area planning committee last Thursday to change the use of land at Melksham Road, Westbrook, near Bromham from agriculture to equestrian and build stables.
Planning officers at Wiltshire Council had recommended refusal as they said the stable block, manege and parking area would be prominent and the hardcore entrance was visually intrusive due to its excessive size.
However the committee disagreed.
Jonathan Seed, Wiltshire councillor for Summerham and Seend and who lives in Chittoe, told the committee : “The planning officers say it will impact the area but that is nonsense. It’s a significant all round improvement. The scale of the proposal is not in my opinion either excessive or large.”
Mr Johnson’s agent Kerwin Cole told the committee: “Mr Johnson has cleared away tons of rubbish from the field and has completely restored it to pasture land. He has had nothing but praise from the local community for his plans. The project would be solely for the use of the Johnson family.”
Animal welfare officials swooped on the field and other parts of Wyatts Lake Farm on January 23 last year when dead pigs were found on the farm and concerns were expressed about the well being of other livestock kept on the farm.
Just over six weeks later dozens of pigs were slaughtered at the farm, including some by Jonathan Seed, who is also joint master of the Avon Vale Hunt, who was called in to help by animal welfare officials.
Mr Johnson’s agent said that Mr Johnson had bought the field which was the subject to the planning application and not the whole farm.
*Mr Beale is being prosecuted by Wiltshire Council in connection with the several dead pigs at Wyatts Lake Farm on January 23. The case is due to be heard in Salisbury on Monday.
This is Wiltshire - 19th January 2010