Gypsy decision is rubber-stamped

Residents were warned the search for new sites was beginning again

The rejection of six proposed sites for Gypsy encampments in north Wiltshire has been confirmed at a public meeting.

District councillors recommended last month that after weeks of consultation with local residents, none of the sites was suitable.

But more than 200 people who packed Chippenham's Olympiad Leisure Centre on Thursday were told that the search for alternatives would now begin.

The council needs to relocate Gypsies camped illegally at Minety.

'In turmoil'

The council tried to move the group on in 2007 but was told by the government to provide somewhere else for them to go.

The six locations considered included two each in Wootton Bassett, Calne and Chippenham.

Many residents at Thursday night's meeting were relieved that the sites were rejected.

I really can't see why they can't just leave us alone and try to mould us a little bit more into the community Gypsy community member

But a member of the Gypsy community told the BBC that the decision left them in "turmoil"

"We're none the wiser. "We've been there five years and we're no further forwards than when we first moved there," he said.

"Obviously, nobody wants to see any site near them.

"We're already settled there, so I really can't see why they can't just leave us alone and try to mould us a little bit more into the community for the sake of the kids and everybody on the site."

Verina Hyland, whose stables back on to the Minety site and who was hoping her Gypsy neighbours would be moved, was also upset that the issue was back to square one.

"Six sites identified. Six sites that score higher on the criteria than Minety ever could and yet they've been rejected summarily. I feel totally betrayed," she said.