A GRANDFATHER who accused the council of bias against the travelling community has won an appeal for a private gipsy site.

Geoff Watson applied to Darlington Borough council to use land at Oakwood Farm, Hurworth, as a site to accommodate his family.

He already had permission for members of his family to live on the site, but the council refused permission in March 2002 for four families to live off Roundhill Road.

The council said the site would encroach on the countryside and did not have adequate access to local services or basic facilities, and it served notice on Mr Watson in September last year for breach of planning control.

Following an appeal by Mr Watson, the planning inspectorate found in his favour and decided to grant conditional planning permission. The inspector, working for the Secretary of State, said if the plans did not get permission Mr Watson and his family would have to live by the side of the road.

He found that the family were unable to find accommodation at the other travellers' sites in Honeypot Lane and Neasham Road, something disputed by the council.

In his report, the inspector said: "If planning permission is withheld the prospect is one of camping on a succession of laybys.

"This would have a harmful effect on family life and on the schooling of the three children."

The appeal comes after an 18-month battle by Mr Watson, whose wife, Vera, owns the land, to house his grown-up daughters and his grandchildren.

Mr Watson's said the borough council was biased against further gipsy site provision in the area and said the council's local plan did not conform to Government advice that authorities should identify land suitable for gipsy sites.

A council spokesman said: "We take our responsibilities to the travelling community seriously and already have two well-established sites in the borough."

The planning inspector went against the council and found there was access to public transport and facilities such as a doctor or dentist.