A planning application by the Bodman family, which farms at Potterne, was given the go-ahead by planning officers, meaning councillors were not given the opportunity to debate the proposals. In its application to Wiltshire Council, the Bodman family said: "Beef production is a profitable enterprise. The alternative to beef production on the site would be to build a solar farm on the land." Ethical objections to livestock farming were "acknowledged (but) are not material to the determination of the application," said officers. "The council ignored an overwhelming response and a clear message that the public does not want to see animal farming expand.