PLANS to turn agricultural land into HGV trailer storage will be decided by a planning committee tonight.

The application for land in the small hamlet of Longcross, near Zeals, has seen strong opposition from two parish councils and the general public, but planning officers have recommended the proposal for approval.

Two previous applications for a change of use on the land made in 2009 and 2010 were refused and Zeals Parish Council sasy the latest application doesn’t differ much from the previous ones.

It says 16 HGV trailers with tractor units entering and leaving the site will have a significant impact on the surrounding area and would completely change the character and appearance of the site, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Bourton Parish Council strongly objected and Wiltshire Council received 18 letters of objection from the public raising issues including noise and light pollution and that it conflicts with the pre-school on the adjacent site. The council also received a petition from Leaping Frogs Day Nursery objecting on the grounds of access safety, with 44 signatures.

Thirteen letters of support were also received, which said the A303 already generates a lot of noise in the area, the site is in an ideal location and other local businesses are more imposing than this one would be.

Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee will consider the application at its meeting at the Guildhall tonight from 6pm.