THE owner of one of the biggest gypsy sites in the district has applied for permission to make it a permanent fixture.

Jo Connors and his extended family currently have permission to stay only until 2013 at their site at Holmsfield Nursery, off Meadgate Road, Nazeing.

He currently has eight pitches on the site designated for the use of 39 gypsies, and is looking to make that number permanent.

Mr Connors was initially refused any permission to stay by Epping Forest District Council in 2008 and enforcement action was due to take place at the site.

The Planning Inspectorate overturned that decision and granted Mr Connors his current temporary permission although it agreed the use of the site was potentially harmful to the Green Belt.

Mr Connors' new application has attracted a similar complaint from the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority which has stated the site damages the surrounding area.

Nazeing Parish Council has said its members were divided over the issue and it has not issued an objection.

Mr Connors said: “We've been in this area for the last 10 to 12 years. It's not like we've just arrived over the weekend.

“We support all the local shops and pubs. We get on with all the local residents. We haven't received a single complaint.

“The application is just to continue our way of life. It's an awful thing having temporary permission hanging over your head. We want something more permanent.”

Planning officers have recommended approval for the new site and its future will be decided next Wednesday (August 11) at the district council's offices, in Epping High Street.

Mr Connors said: “There's a history of councillors never allowing these applications. The planning officers' decision is a help but not a guarantee.”