PLANS to put an HGV trailer storage next to a nursery have been approved despite protests from parents and residents.

The agricultural land in the small hamlet of Longcross near Zeals will now have up to 16 HGV trailers with tractor units entering and leaving the site, which staff and parents at Leaping Frogs Nursery say will affect the safety of the children.

Boyes Transport Limited applied for a change of use and new access to the land and Wiltshire councillors from the southern area planning committee went on a site visit last Thursday afternoon, where about 50 Zeals residents and parents were waiting for them to protest about the application.

Wiltshire Council received 18 letters of objection from members of the public, and the nursery sent a petition with 44 signatures.

Bourton Parish Council strongly objected to the plans and Zeals Parish Council said the nursery site was chosen because it would be a safe, secure a quiet location ideal for educating young children.

The council also received 13 letters of support for the application.

Two previous applications for a change of use on the land made in 2009 and 2010 were refused, but the committee voted in favour of the application.