Gipsy family win facilities fight

A gipsy family of 11 who won a High Court campaign to keep their caravans on green belt land in South Staffordshire have won a further battle to have a permanent kitchen, bathroom and day room built on the site.

Planning officers warned councillors they would lose the fight against Patrick Dunne and his wife Chavelle, who have eight children under the age of 10, if they refused permission for the building at Brinsford Bridge, off Stafford Road, Coven Heath. Last night they voted 25-15 to give the family, which includes Mr Dunne's 17-year-old brother, basic amenities.

Councillor Robert Cope said: "My concern is for the family's health – common humanity has to be taken into account. They should be allowed toilet and cooking facilities."

Last year the Dunnes won a six-year battle with South Staffordshire Council which had turned down a planning application for them to keep the caravans on the land.

The authority was then forced to launch a High Court bid after Secretary of State Hazel Blears said the family could stay following a public inquiry. A High Court judge upheld the decision.

Councillor Ivor Clay warned last night's meeting: "We don't have a policy of supporting gipsy sites. If we refuse everything to do with them, planning inspectors are just going to approve everything we throw out. We're putting our neck in a noose."

However, Councillor Mike Hampson urged the meeting to veto the proposed new facilities because of concerns over sewage and drainage.

Councillor Andy Ball added: "It's disgraceful that we discriminate against other members of the public in favour of gipsies. If the application had come from anyone else it would have been refused."

The family have lived on the site for seven years.