THE final remnants of the old gypsy and traveller consultation have been swept away by the district council after it agreed to remove any significance given to sites previously identified for potential extra pitches.

Formal requirements placed on the council to consult over 34 extra pitches for the district were dropped by the Government last week but the document drawn up under its scheme was still in existence and troubled many residents living near the sites it had identified.

The council's cabinet has now voted to pass a resolution stating that sites identified within the document will be restored to the planning status they enjoyed prior to September 2007 when it was drawn up.

Council leader Di Collins said: “This is really good news. We have waited a long time for this. It seemed endless and I'm sure it did to residents too.”

Housing portfolio holder Dave Stallan said it had been “A horrible three years.”

He added: “I think most of the residents will be grateful we have come to this decision. I'm pleased the sites will be returned to the planning position they were in before 2007.”