Gypsies win right to stay at site

The Gypsies have lived at Minety for five years

Gypsies who developed their own land in Wiltshire without planning permission have won the right to stay there.

North Wiltshire District Council originally rejected a retrospective planning application made by the group.

But now a Government planning inspector has ruled that the site at Minety, near Malmesbury, which has 16 pitches, should be allowed to remain.

The ruling has angered many locals, with Verina Hyland, who lives next door to the site, calling it "contemptible".

Sixteen families have been living on the field since 2003.

They bought the land at Sambourne Road, moving their caravans on to the site, digging drains and connecting to an electricity source.

The local people were never going to lose their homes like we could Donna

Councillor Dick Tonge, of the council, said: "As the local planning authority we have done the right thing.

"We refused the application but the planning inspector has overturned our decision based on central Government guidance.

"We have supported the Minety residents but we have no alternative but to respect the planning inspector's decision."

One of the Gypsies, Donna, who would not give her surname, said: "I am relieved it is all over. The local people were never going to lose their homes like we could.

"Now we want to forget about it - we've had enough."

Ms Hyland said: "I am utterly disgusted. It's contemptible. It is an open-door policy on the rest of the countryside."

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