A double edged sword has been dealt to villagers in Billericay over a crunch planning decision on a controversial traveller's site.

Government planning inspectors have dismissed an appeal for planning permission by travellers at Dale Farm, Oak Lane, Crays Hill, but have given them two years to evict the Green Belt site.

Residents are up in arms over the decision which follows a four-day public hearing in January, as they hoped the inspector would give the travellers no more than three months to evict the camp.

But in a 43-page report into the 12 appeals lodged by travellers for planning permission, inspector, Felix Bourne, said there were "very special circumstances" to merit a two year eviction period, despite anti social problems residents have suffered.

He said in his report: "I was presented with a sorry catalogue of lawlessness and anti-social behaviour coincident with the arrival of the occupiers of the sites. This ranges from allegations of shoplifting, and car burning to fireworks being let off and car horns sounded at unsocial hours to problems with litter and unpleasant behaviour outside the school and elsewhere. There has even been a murder in recent months."

The decision has been met with outrage by residents of Crays Hill who say they have been blighted for years with problems stemming from the site.

Resident of Oak Road, Len Gridley, whose garden backs onto the site, said the decision is a blow to the village: "Although they have dismissed the appeal, which is what we wanted, it is not in our favour at all.

"Residents will have to put up with two more years of tooting horns, fly tipping, noise and disruptions that keep us all awake at night.

"Three months to comply with an eviction notice is sufficient but two years is ridiculous - the residents of Crays Hill are not happy about this decision."

Billericay and Wickford MP, John Baron, also said the ruling shows how the planning laws are inadequate for dealing with unauthorised developments on Green Belt sites.

He said: "It does not take two years to move a caravan. This ruling illustrates how the law is inadequate and this is why I am trying to change it. The Green Belt Protection Bill aims to change the law and to make it easier for local communities to deal with this issue.

"I also have no doubt that Basildon Council will take the appropriate action once the two year period is up, should this be necessary."

Agent acting on behalf of the travellers, Dr Donald Kenrick, said: "We are very pleased because we have gained two years on the site which gives residents the chance to get their children into school. Hopefully by the time the two year period is up there will be other sites that residents can move to."

Published Tuesday, May 27, 2003

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