Latest news with #NickBotterill
Telegraph
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
Cotswold residents say their privacy is under attack by drones
Residents in a Cotswold village say their privacy is under attack by drones peering through their windows. People in Castle Combe, Wiltshire, have claimed that drone footage of children playing in a garden was seized by police and a pedestrian was followed by a device. The number of tourists recording aerial footage of the houses and streets has reportedly increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. The village, dubbed one of the most beautiful places in the UK, is home to about 400 people and visited by thousands of tourists every year. Residents also fear that the drones could make people more vulnerable to a burglary, which has been a problem in the area. Castle Combe Parish Council has now put up signs around the village warning people not to use drones, while villagers have propped up 'no drone' signs in their windows. Nick Botterill, a former district councillor for Castle Combe, said the drones were a 'nuisance' and posed a security threat. The retired business owner said: 'People are having them at quite low levels when there are lots of people around, so it's not just a privacy issue; actually is it safe to do so in confined areas? 'It could be a security risk as well because we have had burglaries in the area.' 'They could easily crash them into buildings, they're taking pictures of people's private [homes]. They're a nuisance on numerous levels. Somebody was followed along the street by one,' the 62-year-old added. Fred Winup, who has been the chairman of the parish council for 18 years, said many 'amateur' drone users are breaking the law without realising. 'About a month ago, somebody was filming children in a garden and the police were called and seized the footage. It's just not on to do that sort of thing,' he said. 'The majority of users are not intentionally wanting to cause a problem, they like to have a memory of a pretty village, but they don't realise they're invading people's privacy in their homes.' Mr Winup said that since the sign at the entrance to the village was put up by the council explaining the rules of drone usage, fewer people seemed to be using them – with two or three drones flying overhead on a busy day. He added: 'When I explain to people they are causing an issue almost invariably they understand. A lot are foreign; a guy from California was flying a drone just above my head as I walked down the street. 'I asked: 'Why are you doing that?' 'We were both pleasant and came to an agreement to take it down.'
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lime Down developer not attending meeting branded 'appalling'
A councillor from an authority "fundamentally opposed" to a 2,000-acre solar park has said its developer not attending a meeting was "appalling".Councillor Nick Botterill said it was "deeply disrespectful" for Island Green Power not to attend a Wiltshire Council cabinet meeting where the Lime Down Solar Park was being the final decision on planning permission will be made by the government, the council has expressed its developer said the invitation was issued too late for them to be able to go. The Lime Down Solar Park proposals have proved very controversial, with residents near to where it would be - in farmland around Malmesbury - running an extensive campaign against it. Locals 'in tears' At the council meeting on 4 March, Sir Mike Pitt represented the Stop Lime Down group. He said emotions were "running very high" for residents near the proposed site, having witnessed many "horrified" and "in tears".He said: "Many are in a state of complete disbelief that this could even be conceived of as a project." The director of planning at Wiltshire Council, Nic Thomas, said the authority had "significant" concerns about the "industrialisation" of the countryside, the cumulative impact of solar farms in the area and the scale of the Lime Down he added: "From an environmental and net zero perspective, there are clear advantages and benefits to what is being proposed, and it does accord, broadly, with government policy around carbon reduction."If approved, the park would provide enough electricity to power approximately 115,000 homes annually, according to the council cabinet voted to express opposition to the plans and suggested that another public consultation be carried out by Island Green Power. Council leader Cllr Richard Clewer described the developers' absence at the meeting as "frustrating" and "deeply regretful".In response Will Threlfall, senior project development manager at Island Green Power, said: "We regret that, as the invitation was issued only late last week, we were unable to attend today's meeting."He said the company will continue to speak with the council and the application to the Planning Inspectorate will include a report on how they have taken views into developer has held eight in-person information events at venues located in the local community, and two online webinars. Island Green Power anticipates submitting the application for Lime Down Solar Park this Threlfall said: "It's really important to us that as many people as possible share their thoughts on our proposals for Lime Down Solar Park."The current consultation is running until 19 March.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Notice served on overfull mobile home park
Residents are being forced out of a mobile home park where there are more than double the number of caravans permitted. Wiltshire Council issued an enforcement notice on the owner of Greenacres Mobile Park in Semington near Trowbridge. The site has had up to 77 mobile homes but planning permission allows for only 28. The council said it was "mindful" of those with nowhere to go and was staggering departures to give them more time. It expects the number of caravans to fall to 28 within 18 months. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Councillor Nick Botterill said that the enforcement notice, which will take effect on 2 April, was a last resort. The council had investigated following complaints about the increase in homes. Many of the extra caravans are allegedly being rented on the open market to people who aren't travellers. Non-travellers are expected to leave within nine months, while other pitches will need to be cleared by 18 months. Mr Botterill said council officers have been trying to work with the site owner to keep numbers to 28, but compliance did not happen. The council said it would work with all involved and that it was "committed to tackling planning permission breaches". Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Debate on Gypsy and Traveller sites plan deferred
BBC News
25-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Wiltshire: Debate on plan for Gypsy and Traveller sites deferred
A key debate on plans to provide dozens of permanent pitches for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling show people in Wiltshire has been postponed by plan, which outlines provision for 128 new permanent pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and nine plots for travelling show people by 2028, was due to be discussed at a meeting on the council said it needed more time to consider points raised by local Nick Botterill, cabinet member for strategic planning, said: "This is a difficult decision, but we felt it was right to defer the decision about whether the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document is ready to be submitted for examination." 'Important document' Wiltshire currently has about 380 pitches and plots for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling show people on 85 of Wiltshire Council's planned pitches would be created by expanding existing sites, while others would be on four new sites across the county. Botterill added: "We feel we need more time to further consider the plan and the points raised by our local communities."This is an important document for Wiltshire, so it is vital that we get it right and that sufficient time be given to scrutinise and consider local residents' concerns."Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide land to meet the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers. Wiltshire Council says the plan is designed to ensure these needs are met while also addressing concerns from residents.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Plans for 120 Gypsy pitches moves to next stage
A draft plan for 120 new Gypsy and traveller pitches has been approved by a council cabinet. The plan outlines how Wiltshire Council will meet the housing needs of Gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople up to 2038. It includes new pitches in Chippenham, Semington, Southwick and Devizes. The council said the pitches will be on "well-designed sites in keeping with their surroundings". The plan also includes a proposal of new sites in Bushton, Edigonton, Cleverton, Rowde, Upper Seagry and Potterne. "We have a statutory duty to provide land to meet the accommodation needs of Wiltshire's Gypsies and travellers, including the allocation of sites in development plans," said councillor Nick Botterill, cabinet member for strategic planning. He said the proposal will help to fulfil the council's obligations for housing and "plan for sustainable growth" while also meeting its commitment "to live well together in cohesive communities". The plan will now be presented to full council on 25 February. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Traveller site plans to be reviewed in new year Plans for 120 Gypsy and traveller pitches announced 'More sites needed for Gypsies and travellers' Wiltshire Council
