THE Government has ruled a travellers’ site cannot be established in Brentwood, even though planning inspectors gave it the go ahead.

In April 2009, Brentwood Council refused planning permission for six residential gipsy pitches with hardstanding, amenity areas, day rooms and stabling for horses at Oak Tree Farm, in Chelmsford Road, Blackmore.

However, at an appeal in October 2009 and January and February last year, planning inspector Richard Clegg said the travellers, who own the site, should be allowed to stay.

He said there was an “immediate and significant unmet need for gipsy sites in Brentwood”.

Although the land was purchased in March 2009, the group waited until the Easter weekend that year before moving on to the site. The appeal heard: “It is submitted the move, which took place at a bank holiday weekend, with lorry loads of material, machinery and fencing, must have involved a high degree of planning and it did not occur in response to an urgent need.”

The travellers said there were health, educational and social needs, which mean they should be allowed to stay, adding it would breach their human rights if they were forced to move, with no alternative site provided.

The hearing also heard some of the travellers owned various properties across the UK.

Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, would normally rule on such appeals, but because the site falls in his Brentwood and Ongar constituency, he had no say in the decision.

A planning minister ruled while there was a clear need for gipsy sites in Brentwood, the bid would be an “inappropriate development” in the area of green belt land.

Mr Pickles said: “My views are well known. I believe no one should be able to ride roughshod over our green belt. There must be one planning law that is adhered to by all.”

Louise McKinlay, leader of Brentwood Council, said: “Letters will be hand delivered to the travellers advising them the enforcement notices previously served, requiring the land to be vacated, are effective and they will now need to make arrangements to leave the site.”