Biagio Vitale, a former nightclub owner known for running The Rock in Cirencester and Studio in Swindon’s Old Town, has been granted permission to build 70 holiday lodges and a nature park on 23 hectares of farmland near Ashton Keynes.
The approval came from a planning inspector after Wiltshire Council failed to reach a decision on the application. The proposed site lies south of Spine Road East in an area known as Clayhill within the Water Park, which currently hosts a paintball centre, a forest school, and a falconry centre.
Wiltshire Council had intended to oppose the development, citing concerns over its proximity to the internationally recognized North Meadow Special Area of Conservation and the potential threat to the endangered great crested newt population. Historic England also raised worries about the possibility of damage to Halls Close, a 12th-century fortification also called Ashton Keynes Castle.
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Local opposition was strong, with Ashton Keynes Parish Council objecting to the plans and just four of 138 public consultation responses expressing support.
Despite these objections, the planning inspector ruled the risks to be manageable. The developer plans to establish a buffer zone to protect North Meadow and nearby habitats, and the existing ponds on the site contain predatory fish that make them unsuitable for great crested newts. Additionally, the creation of ten new ponds as part of the project is expected to enhance the site’s suitability for amphibians.
The inspector also determined that the potential harm to Ashton Keynes Castle would be limited. To prevent the lodges from becoming permanent homes, a condition was imposed restricting occupancy to a maximum of six weeks.
This decision opens the way for a significant new leisure development in the area, balancing tourism growth with environmental protection.