STANTON St Quintin residents are celebrating after North Wiltshire District Council threw out a plan for a caravan and tent park in the village.

The plan was submitted by Seagry farmer, Gordon Ridout of Nables Farm. He wanted to use land near the Chippenham junction of the M4 motorway for touring caravans and tents.

Legislation would have allowed him to put between 300 and 400 caravans on the site.

The plan was opposed by parish councillors, who questioned the appropriateness of a site so close to the M4 and felt the caravans would be a nuisance because of noise and pollution.

The council also wanted assurances the site would not be used by travellers.

District councillors turned down the plan because they said the site was not an ideal location and could remove the rural character of the area.

Stanton St Quintin parish clerk, Sue Webb, said: "We're very pleased. Councillors unanimously opposed the plans."

Coun Donald Sugden said: "I can't imagine why anyone would want to camp there.

"The only view is of the recycling depot. It's not exactly a tourist spot."