GIPSIES living on an unauthorised site near Eckington have been given five months to leave after their enforcement appeal was rejected.

But the group of 11 families has vowed to stay despite being told to clean up and go by a government inspector. He upheld enforcement notices issued by Wychavon District Council demanding gipsies cease building work on the land and remove their caravans.

The gipsies caused outrage when they moved on to the land along the B4080 Tewkesbury Road in May, proceeding to rip up hedges and lay hardcore. No application for planning permission had been made for the site, close to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a busy main road. A retrospective planning application was later submitted and refused.

In his report inspector Robin Muers stated: "This project does not comply with the development plan. There are very material disadvantages attached to the scheme, related in particular to its location, its landscape impact and to the effect on highway safety."

Mr Muers conceded the original notices' three-month compliance period was 'too tight', but dismissed the gipsies' suggested two-year timetable as 'excessive', concluding five months would be reasonable. He said environmental, preservation and public safety superseded the gipsies' human rights.

Site resident and father-of-five Richard, aged 27, said: "Nothing has changed as far as we're concerned. We will take this to the European Court of Human Rights if we have too. I knew the appeal wouldn't go our way. I don't want to take my children out of school. Since we got here no trouble has been made and there has been no crimewave. We are contributing to the area rather than doing anything damaging."

Wychavon's managing director Jack Hegarty said: "This appeal decision shows that travellers cannot move on any site they chose in breach of planning policies and regulations and expect to be allowed to stay."

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer has urged the planning inspectorate for a speedy resolution to the outstanding planning appeal: "This must not be used as a further excuse for delaying their departure. The uncertainty hanging over this matter has lasted long enough."