Gipsies have been given the green light to have their own caravan site in Crays Hill - to the dismay of neighbouring residents and businesses.

The group has been told it can stay on at the Oak Lane site thanks to plans which have formalised permission for caravans, hardstandings, a washroom and mobile homes.

Basildon Council is under pressure to provide space for travelling communities to try to limit the number of unauthorised sites.

However, the news has disappointed businessman Shaun O'Donoghue, manager of The Belvedere in nearby Hardings Elms Road, between Billericay and Wickford.

He claims his plans for extension have been repeatedly rejected and is furious at the leniency which is being shown to the gipsies. He sees them as nothing more than a nuisance.

Mr O'Donoghue said: "I have had to stop travellers from drinking in here. It is not discrimination - they are a nuisance. I have my reputation to consider."

The Belvedere, which provides conference and bar facilities and has an outdoor golf driving range, wants to increase its number of hotel rooms.

Mr O'Donoghue said: "The travellers come along, put a few caravans down and do what they like, yet we are restricted. I have tried to get extensions to the Belvedere and all I come up against is green belt policy."

One resident from Gardiners Lane North, who asked not to be named, said local people had no power in stopping the gipsies.

She said: "My general opinion is shared by most people round here but what can we do about it? I have no need to go down Oak Lane but I do know our milkman and postman won't go down there."

Wickford police said they had not been consulted on the proposals for the site. Conservative councillor for Burstead, Geoffrey Buckingham, chairman of the Billericay area committee, said he felt the plans were acceptable.

He said: "We think it will harmonise with the rest of the area and will not cause any problems to residents nearby. Gipsies can be a cause for apprehension but this is a situation where granting permission will not do any harm.

John Brooks, agent for the Oak Lane site, said the gipsies were delighted with the news.

He said: "They are very happy to know it is all legal because if the application had been refused they would have had to leave. "

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