A SCHEME for a private gypsy site to be used by a father and son near Thirsk has been refused by planners.

Hambleton District Council has turned down Brian and Tom Carter’s plan to create a private gypsy site for use by them only.

They aimed to get approval to create the site on the land at Low Street, Husthwaite, near the edge of the village for their caravan.

They have lived in a caravan on the land for 12 years but in 2007 the district council refused them a certificate of lawfulness giving them the right to live there.

The council has since started enforcement proceedings to get the pair off the land but while this was taking place the new plan was entered.

Husthwaite Parish Council plus 15 residents in the village have criticised the plan on several issues such as fears it would lead to more caravans appearing there.

The district council’s planners recommended the authority’s development management committee refuse the scheme and it did on April 30.