A DECISION about whether to allow a family of gipsies to set up a permanent caravan site in a Worcestershire field has been delayed.

Councillors have voted to decide if the family - which has applied to set up the site at Dragons Cross, Leigh Sinton, near Malvern - falls into the legal definition of being gipsies before continuing to consider the application.

Last night, Malvern Hills district councillors were told by Independent Coun John Guise: "This family is no longer nomadic. Therefore they are no longer gipsies."

He quoted a Court of Appeal ruling in June 2003 which held that once gipsies had ceased travelling they were no longer gipsies.

Around 30 members of the public attended the meeting of the Northern Area Planning Committee, and Anthony Warburton spoke on their behalf.

He argued that, as the family did not wander or travel in a caravan to make a living, they could not be classed as being gipsies.

"They have acquired a piece of agricultural land and stationed a residential caravan on it with the intention of living in it on a permanent basis, as shown by their continual occupation of the site over several years, " he said.

The application had attracted around 50 letters of opposition from neighbouring villagers.

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