GIPSIES living on an unauthorised site near Eckington are expected to know the outcome of an enforcement notice appeal within weeks.

The inspector at last week's appeal hearing is expected to publish his decision at the end of November. The group are appealing against notices issued by Wychavon District Council preventing them living or carrying out works on the land along the B4080.

But even if the notices, issued following the gipsies' arrival in May, are upheld they will be allowed to stay on site pending the outcome of a planning appeal. In August the council turned down a retrospective planning application for the site and the appeal is unlikely to be held before next year.

Planning consultant Richard Alexander, representing Eckington and Bredon parish councils, said: "We felt Wychavon gave a good account of themselves and all the planning arguments were aired. The gipsies are arguing the national need for good site provision and Wychavon are arguing stringent planning policies go against this site."

District councillor Adrian Hardman said: "The highways safety is for me the main concern. We keep turning down applications for houses on that road due to highways safety reasons. If they allow this development it's going to have a tremendous impact on a highway where the average speed is 60mph."

Wychavon managing director Jack Hegarty is optimistic, despite the outcome of a planning appeal for a group of gipsies living on an unauthorised site near Wyre Piddle. The refusal was upheld but the group can reapply for planning permission if they improve their drainage system.

Mr Hegarty said: "We thought the enforcement appeal hearing went well and the arguments we put forward were very well received. I think there is a difference between the Eckington and Wyre Piddle sites. At Eckington there is a very strong highways concern and I would find it unbelievable if those were not backed."

Dr Don Kendrick, representing the gipsies, said: "We're hoping to get a long period between the enforcement and the planning appeal next year. There's no way we can be prepared for that until after Christmas."