THE owner of a campsite has spoken about his relief that an 18-month battle to open his site is finally over.

Stonehenge Campsite on Berwick Road has been unpopular with residents in Berwick St James and Winterbourne Stoke and has always been hotly debated at Wiltshire Council planning meetings.

It eventually went to a public planning inquiry, held in May, and on Monday a planning inspector quashed the two enforcement notices issued against owner William Grant and granted planning permission for a change of use to a touring caravan and camping site and retention of facilities he had already installed.

Mr Grant said: “I’m pleased and relieved that 18 months of hell is over.

“The campsite gives a lot of happiness to a lot of people. Yes I make some money out of it because I’m a businessman, but that wasn’t the main reason I did it. What was here was a derelict pig sty that had been unused for 20 years plus. I think this is a good use and a major asset to Stonehenge.”

Mr Grant said the campsite would create a couple of jobs, bring tourism to the area and boost the local economy.

He has been granted permission for up to 15 caravans or tents on one part of the site throughout the year, and an additional 20 tents on a separate area from March 19 to September 30.

The inspector also said that field could have up to 40 tents on bank holidays and for ten days a year, when Mr Grant holds big events like the summer solstice rally, it could hold up to 100 tents.

Agent Tony Allen said: “We hope the planning decision will give some clarity to everybody – the locals and the council – because the inspector’s decision is clear.”

Mr Grant has now changed his sign to declare the campsite open and has reapplied to the AA for accreditation.

He would also like to upgrade the facilities as the campsite attracts visitors from all over the world.

He said: “I’ve written to all the residents and said I hope this is an end to it. The residents have tried absolutely everything to get it closed because I think they have a perception that it’s going to devalue their house or that campers are rowdy people.

“But my family are closest to the site, we wouldn’t have it if it made a lot of noise because we don’t want something on our doorstep that’s going to upset us.”