COUNCILLORS who refused planning permission for a gipsy caravan site less than a year ago will be advised to allow the scheme to go ahead tomorrow.

Darlington Borough Council has received an identical proposal to that turned down last July - backed by a letter stating the original decision contravenes human rights legislation. Council officers have recommended that Jim Mounsey's proposals for Blackwell Moor Farm, in Snipe Lane, Hurworth Moor, should be approved.

However, the same recommendation was made at the last time of asking, and the plans were rejected by councillors, who said the development could damage the countryside and argued there was unsatisfactory access to the nearby A66 trunk road.

The application is to accommodate six of his relatives in caravans on a hardstanding site within the grounds of Mr Mounsey's property.

The Gipsy Council, in a letter to the council, says article eight of the European Convention on Human Rights has a bearing on the application.

The letter, from Gipsy Council president Hughie Smith, reads: "In applying for planning permission to develop a site to accommodate other members of his family group, Mr Mounsey is, in fact, attempting to ensure that their rights as members of his own family to a family life together on the same site are respected."