A PLANNING application for a gipsy encampment between Malvern and Powick has been rejected by councillors, but an appeal hearing against the decision will take place later this year.

At a meeting of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area development control committee, members unanimously rejected an application for a site for five touring caravans at Bastonford.

The application, by Mr E Smith, was rejected because of concerns about estate traffic turning on and off the main Malvern-Worcester road, because the site would intrude on the landscape and would significantly increase the size of the hamlet.

Coun Tom Wells said "I'm delighted my fellow councillors agreed with me that this site is unsuitable for a gipsy settlement, but it does not end there.

"After they moved on to the site in May, an enforcement notice was issued, but that process came to a halt while the planning application was dealt with. Now that's out of the way, there will be a hearing in front of a government inspector in December."

Coun Wells said the hearing on the enforcement notice will be the equivalent of an appeal against the planning decision.

He said: "I will be meeting Bastonford residents very shortly to advice them to write to the inspector who will be conducting the hearing, to tell him what they think of the site."