GIPSIES in Wyre Piddle have once again been refused planning permission for an encampment at Duffledown View, beside the village bypass.

Their latest application to Wychavon District Council was to change the use of the land to a gipsy caravan site for nine mobile homes and nine touring caravans.

The council received 27 objections, including letters from local parish councils and a Mr Beamish whose property, Duffledown Farm, is directly behind the gipsy encampment.

Mr Beamish's solicitor, Simon Burn, said in a letter that his client had had to abandon the use of the paddock at the front of his property after metal objects were thrown in by the travellers.

"In addition, individuals residing on the site have ignited fireworks, rockets and other pyrotechnics towards my client's smallholding causing alarm and distress not only to my client but to his animals," he said.

"Also, there are serious concerns with regard to drainage and sewage. My client's land drains have been blocked."

Councillors unanimously rejected the application on grounds including that it would be intrusive in the open countryside. There was also concern that the mobile homes do not fall within the definition of caravans and that some of the original gipsy families who arrived at the site in 2003 were no longer there

But Paul Lee, one of the gipsies, said the families were still there but had moved into other caravans.

"Also, the mobile homes are classified as caravans," he added.

"We are appealing the decision."

and travellers are tipping raw sewage onto the verge in the vicinity

ends, and that some of the original gipsy families who arrived at the site in 2003 were no longer there

as there were inadequate toilet facilities for them to each have their own