Camilla's Gypsy Neighbours

13 February 2009

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Britain's Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, could soon be living next door to a gypsy camp.

A group of travellers have bought a one-and-a-half acre plot of land just 800 yards away from Camilla's country home in Wiltshire, central England, and have already submitted plans to set up camp there.

The group want to put 20 caravans on the site but North Wiltshire district council have ruled the plans invalid as an adequate floor assessment was not submitted.

Residents are said to be furious at the plans, claiming much of the village is owned by the National Trust making it wholly unsuitable for such a development

It is believed the plans will be adjusted and resubmitted within the next few days - the new owner has already installed mains water and electricity in anticipation of them being passed.

If the development is approved, Camilla will be forced to drive past the camp whenever she visits her home.

The couple who sold the piece of land was unaware what the new owners were planning.

The husband - who requested to not be named - said: "We thought we were selling it for grazing. We would have kept the land if we knew what they intended.

"We live in a quiet rural area and it's totally the wrong place for 20 caravans to move in. Every morning I wake up expecting to see them outside and I imagine they will move in whether or not planning permission is granted.He told Britain's The Daily Mail newspaper: "Whenever Charles and Camilla visit her home the security forces block off all the lanes except for the one going past the field - I can't imagine they'll be happy."Residents are said to be furious at the plans, claiming much of the village is owned by the National Trust making it wholly unsuitable for such a development.One neighbour fumed: "This is unbelievable - this not the place for this kind of thing."When the paddock was sold we were under the impression it would remain as a paddock because previous planning application on the land had been turned down."Me and my neighbour are trying desperately to sell our homes and we have already had to knock off £100,000 but if this goes ahead it will never sell. We are heartbroken - this cannot happen here."

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