NEWENT campaigners who oppose a gipsy site at Southend Lane in the town have welcomed a decision by district council planners to refuse it planning permission.

At a meeting of Forest of Dean District Council’s development control committee, members voted unanimously to reject the application for a 13-pitch caravan site.

Planning officers, in their report to the meeting, said the site was not suitable for long-term occupation because of the adverse impact on the area.

The land has been occupied by travellers since May 2009 and an enforcement order was served on them that June. They appealed and after a public inquiry in December 2009 temporary planning permission was granted until January this year.

A previous planning application was rejected by the council in February 2010 and an appeal dismissed.

Now Newent Residents against Inappropriate Development (Raid) have said refusal of the latest application was “almost inevitable”.

“This most recent decision is a simple and welcome reinforcement of all previous positions. It now remains for the local authority to take appropriate action,” said Mark Greening, of Raid.

“The gipsies now have a further 28 days to appeal. We expect them to do so at the very last moment.

“Newent Raid is keen to seek a swift and just result to close this issue once and for all.

“There are sufficient alternative approved sites for the gipsy families to move to in the Forest of Dean District.”

A council spokes,an said: “We have received notification that an appeal of the enforcement notice has been submitted.

“We are now waiting to find out whether it will be heard as a public inquiry.”