A GAMEKEEPER for a renowned pheasant shoot will get much needed on-site accommodation after councillors went against officer recommendations to grant planning permission.

Planning officers had recommended refusal of an application to build a bungalow with a double garage and dog kennels on land at Gurston Farm in Broad Chalke, based on a report which said there was not a justified functional need for the proposal.

But the majority of councillors on Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee slammed the report and backed the application wholeheartedly.

Cllr Chris Devine said: “I was astounded when this dropped through my letter box and I saw refusal on it. A gamekeeper’s lot is a miserable lot – up at first light, go to bed long after last light and it’s 365 days a year. I have absolutely no doubt that the gamekeeper will need to be on site all the time.”

Only one member voted against approval of the proposal.