GIPSIES parked at the Wyre Piddle bypass have vowed to fight on after being refused planning permission to make a permanent base at the site.

About 20 turned up at a planning meeting last Thursday to support their case to stay. Nine families claim that health concerns and the welfare of their 22 children should be enough grounds for Wychavon councillors to over-ride their usual planning guidelines.

Maggie Smith, a member of the Gipsy Council, spoke for the families. "This family needs to have a base from which to travel. If planning permission is not granted they will have nowhere to go. For generations gipsy families like these have always returned to this area to do seasonal work."

Councillors questioned Mrs Smith on aspects of the application, including why the families had not applied for a council site, why they could not settle in houses and how they intended to use the site.

Several councillors said that Mrs Smith's arguments had won them round. Councillor Adrian Darby, who represents South Bredon Hill, said the gipsies seemed to be in a Catch 22 situation. "I didn't think I would find myself in this position but I am going to vote against the proposal."

Other councillors sympathised with the problems faced by the gypsies but were unable to support their bid to stay on the site. Droitwich councillor, Coun Terry Spencer said: "On the site this morning I was absolutely horrified to see a dog run on to the bypass. We cannot allow that to happen - there could have been a terrible accident," she said.

Councillors voted by a majority of five to refuse permission and following the decision Mrs Smith vowed to appeal against the refusal.