AN appeal against a council decision to prevent land in Darlington being used as a private gipsy site will be heard next year.
Darlington Borough Council refused to grant planning permission to Geoff Watson, of Hurworth, to accommodate his relatives on land off Roundhill Road in the village.
Mr Watson, who already has permission for family members to live on land elsewhere in the borough, launched an appeal against the decision in September.
His appeal was forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Environment after councillors refused the application because of concerns about the loss of countryside around the site, which is near the Tawny Owl pub.
They were also concerned that the area did not have adequate access to local services or basic facilities.
Mr Watson wanted to accommodate four permanent gipsy caravans in the field for his family.
A hearing into Mr Watson's appeal will be held on April 8 at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington.
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