Ruston Planning, on behalf of the landowner, have lodged plans for the site at The Stables, Mapperton Hill, with Wiltshire Council.

Permission for a single Traveller pitch on the site was given in July 2015, including a mobile home, day room, touring caravan, septic tank, stables, hard standing, access and the keeping of horses.
The new plan seeks to add 10 more plots to the site, which measures around 1.9 hectares (4.6 acres). The eastern boundary of the site runs along the B3092 at Mapperton Hill and is enclosed by mature trees and hedgerows.

“Each pitch comprises one mobile home, one touring caravan and parking,” the application reads. It has prompted dozens of comments from residents.
Tim Scott Bolton wrote: “Mere is a spectacularly beautiful area of largely unspoilt countryside and this type of development is inappropriate in this position. The immediate needs of the Gypsy community were satisfied and it seems the original planning approval was the thin end of the wedge.”
Bruno Skinner, who says he has lived nearby for more than 30 years, also objected to the application.
“The exit onto this road is clearly dangerous and the land could have over 80 people on site with any number of vehicles,” he wrote. “Also, there is no pedestrian access to Mere along this busy road. The field is known to be prone to flooding so probable problems with drainage and foul water may arise, the more so with all the additional hard standing that would be required.”
Lalage Grundy, however, supports the plan.

“I would like to give my support for the increase of 10 plots at the site,” they wrote. “There is need for enough places for people to live. I am a resident of Mere and hope that this response will be part of the consultation.”
It comes after a site, at Piddlehinton, was approved with conditions including gating which was locked between certain hours.
The planning consultation is open until 15 December. For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk and search for application reference PL/2022/08186.