A GIPSY family look likely to be refused permission to stay on their own land in a Teesside village.

The Murphy family's solicitor said they had followed Government advice to gipsies to buy their own land and apply for private gipsy site status.

But Stockton Borough Council planning officers have recommended they are refused permission to stay at Elton Village, near Stockton.

The officers made their judgement after hearing complaints from Elton Parish Council that the site, in Sandy Leas Lane, was untidy, that there were traffic access problems and because there was already an official gipsy caravan site in Bowesfield Lane, Stockton.

Malcolm Simpson, chairman of the parish council, said: "We told the borough council we were concerned.

"We said the appearance was untidy and there were a number of other issues, including lots of bonfires.

"There are five caravans on the site and that has caused worries about access on what is a small access road. If it goes through, we would want conditions imposed for it to be kept tidy."

The borough council planning officers also considered that the site was too near residential property and would have a detrimental impact on the area's character.

The planners, who received a further seven letters of objection, examined European Union human rights legislation which states that gipsies need special considerations as a minority group. However they considered that, on balance, the site was adversely affecting the amenities of other residents.

David Stovell, solicitor for Tom Murphy and his wife, said the fact that gipsies were involved meant the issue was "inevitably politically sensitive". He said: "The Government has sought to stop gipsies stopping in lay-bys and other public places and has encouraged them to find private sites, which is exactly what the Murphys have done.

"It is true that there are a number of designated gipsy caravan parks but there are a number of reasons why individuals may not wish to stay there. If this application is refused we will be using our right of appeal."

The planners meet on Tuesday.