The final decision on a legal bid to remove three travellers' caravans from green belt land may not be given until the new year.

Basildon Council launched the High Court challenge after John Prescott decided to allow the mobile homes to remain on the land, going against a planning inspector's recommendations.

The case, before leading judge Mr Justice Ouseley, follows earlier successful appeals from three people against the council's refusal to allow planning permission for mobile homes to be placed on land at Little Meadow, The Lily and The Paddocks, all in Grange Road, Bowers Gifford.

Mr Prescott, Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, decided to allow those earlier appeals despite the recommendation of his inspector they could be dismissed.

Legal argument in the case has now ended, and Mr Justice Ouseley has reserved judgment.

No date has been fixed for the ruling, and it could be given as late as the beginning of next year.

Earlier in the case Michael Bedford, representing Basildon Council, argued Mr Prescott's decision, based on the personal circumstances of the travellers and in particular the importance of not disrupting the education of five children living in the caravans, was wrong.

He said the potential damage to green belt land should be given more consideration.

The inspector had identified a need for traveller sites in the area to provide a settled base for the families and enable the regular attendance of the children at school, Mr Bedford added, but had ruled they did not outweigh harm to the green belt.

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