A ROMANY gipsy family have called for fair treatment in their bid for permission to live on land they own near Ardleigh.

Will and Jo Banks have spoken of their frustration at the planning process as they seek consent from Tendring Council for the site off Green Lane, in Crockleford Heath.

Previous applications for 12 pitches and another for four on the site have been turned down by councillors, even though officers said the proposals should be approved.

Mrs Banks said: “We want a fair decision that respects the law and professional opinion, and feel that will only come outside this forum because politics is shaping the outcome.”

A meeting set to rule on the latest application for one pitch could not go ahead last week after a key officer was stranded in America during the flight problems. A final decision is expected on May 11.

Mrs Banks said: “The whole process has been so frustrating, cost so much to us and the council, and caused so much stress.

“We love it here and just want to settle as part of the community.

“We own this land and want to look after it. We pay all our council tax and utility bills.

“We are exactly like other people, it’s just that we chose to live in a caravan rather than a house.”

The council has received a 144-signature petition and 70 letters of objection against the plan, as well as 20 letters of support.

Ardleigh Parish Council has written a six-page letter of objection, and chairman Tim Barrott said the land “never has and never will” be suitable for a travellers’ site.

He said: “We are objecting because villagers have asked us to. The site does not comply with the requirements laid down in Tendring Council’s local plan for traveller sites.”

Mr Barrott said the site is a flood risk. Mrs Banks said the land would not flood if landowners cleared their ditches.

Neil Stock, ward councillor, said the land was inappropriate for development of any kind.

He added: “Unfortunately the East of England Regional Assembly has imposed that Tendring should have 15 traveller sites. Our officers have no option but to recommend this for approval to meet that quota.

“This amounts to positive discrimination and allows travellers to cheat the system and get permission to live in places that others cannot.”