Second Gypsy inquiry has finished

The second public inquiry into the Minety Gypsy camp has finished

The second public inquiry into a row over an illegal Gypsy camp in Minety in Wiltshire has finished.

Government planning inspector, Karen Ridge, heard arguments for and against at North Wiltshire District Council offices in Chippenham.

She will write up her report and her decision letter will be published in due course.

Sixteen families have been living without planning consent on a field they own in Wiltshire since 2003.

Detrimentally affected

They bought the land in Minety and moved their caravans on, dug drains and connected to electricity.

North Wiltshire MP, James Gray, said at this week's public inquiry that Gypsies looking for sites to set up camps should not be given "special consideration" in planning laws.

After the first inquiry, in February 2005, the Gypsies were allowed to stay at Minety for a further 18 months while the council sought an alternative site.

Six alternative sites were proposed - two at Wootton Bassett, two at Calne and two at Chippenham - but after a lengthy public consultation and much public outcry, the council announced that none were suitable.

The hearing at North Wiltshire District Council's offices in Chippenham has been told that the site is located in remote countryside and is not sustainable as a residential development.

The hearing also heard that neighbouring properties had been detrimentally affected and those adjoining the site had stopped using their gardens.

But the Gypsies argue that because they have now lived at the site for five years, their children are integrated into local schools and they are much nearer local amenities than some houses in the area.