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A GYPSY appeal against the council's decision to reject a 22-pitch site has left residents feeling "under siege" from the traveller community.

The public enquiry into the proposed gypsy site at The Meadows, Nazeing, finally came to an end on Thursday (May 8) as members of the local community expressed concerns over the proposals.

Last year Epping Forest Council refused permission for 22 pitches and 44 caravans on the Green Belt land.

But an appeal has been lodged by Percy Smith and others to re-consider the decision.

The Government will now examine evidence from the public enquiry and make a ruling on whether to uphold or overturn the council's decision within the next six weeks.

As campaigners turned up in force to object the plans at the enquiry, The Guardian spoke to a local community of gypsies on an authorised site in Nazeing, to find out their side of the story.

A woman, who wished to remain nameless, and lives at The Small Holdings authorised gypsy site on Long Green, said: "The council have not got the houses to provide for the people. If they had the houses, we would move in tomorrow. But they haven't got the sites. The type of sites the council provide, you wouldn't put a dog on. At the end of the day, we all need somewhere to live."

She added: "People are scared, but it's all in their minds, it's all fear. I'd be frightened if I moved in a house about what sort of neighbours I was going to have. Everybody is, but that's life. But honestly, I think if people give them a chance they won't get any problems...I'm not ashamed to be a traveller. I'm not different. I'm no different to you."

In the final session of the public enquiry, David Jarvis, from Nazeing, spoke on behalf of the residents of Bumbles Green.

He presented a petition of 340 signatures collected from people living close to the proposed site.

Speaking after the hearing, he said: "It feels like we are under siege. They are building a bigger and bigger camp which is all concentrated in Nazeing and Roydon. They say this is an advantage, but it's definitely not an advantage to us."

He stressed that the local community has good relations with gypsies already living within Nazeing but believes the new site would be one to many.

"We don't have a problem with gypsies," he said. "But I don't think it's fair that we have so many in this area. It will mean that 30 per cent of Bumbles Green will be gypsies. Why should their human rights supersede our human rights?"

12:05pm Friday 9th May 2008

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