AN APPEAL against the removal of a gipsy and travellers’ site on land near Selby has been refused by the Government.

Selby District Council issued an enforcement order against the site, which saw 20 caravans parked on land next to Hillcrest Café, in Great North Road, South Milford, last August, with instructions to have the site cleared within 15 months.

The appeal was sent to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by the owner of the land, John Taylor Jr, and a public inquiry was held.

Nigel Adams , MP for Selby and Ainsty, backed a residents’ campaign against the site, and said the latest decision was good for the district. “I’m very pleased that the Government has decided to uphold Selby District Coucnil’s original decision for enforcement action.

“This site is clearly in breach of planning law, as it’s in green belt, and local residents, many of which I know have been involved with this issue, will be happy that the site will be cleared.

“Councils have an obligation to find suitable accommodation, but when it comes to illegal sites the law needs to back them up, and on this occasion we have seen the Government back the council.”

The report stated: “The harm which has been, and would continue to be caused by the proposals is substantial and refusal of permanent planning permission is a proportionate response.”

However, the Government upheld a second appeal which requested the land be changed from a truck stop to a temporary five-pitch camp for travellers and gipsies, with planning permission for cess tank drainage and communal washing and toilet facilities, to last only until the end of 2014.

This has been agreed as the report stated there was currently a shortfall of 26 pitches in the Selby district, with nine more expected to be needed before 2015 – something the Site Allocation Development Plan Document (SADPD), has been working to correct for more than a year.