A TRAVELLER who faces being evicted form an illegal campsite has appealed against his removal.

Darlington Borough Council wants to serve an enforcement notice against Billy Cairney to move him from a field outside Brafferton, near Darlington, but he has appealed the decision.

It follows Mr Cairney's decision to move onto the site outside the village, weeks after he was refused planning permission.

As well as moving his three caravans onto the land in Aycliffe Lane, he wanted to build a stable block, tack room and amenity facilities.

Villagers had objected to his plans because they felt the site was unsuitable and complained about light pollution, impact on visual features and the effect on livestock.

The council refused the application at the start of this month, saying it did not consider that the need to provide private traveller sites in the borough outweighed the negative visual impact of the development.

A spokesman for Mr Cairney said he could not comment, but said the matter would be dealt via the normal process.

The basis for Mr Cairney's appeal includes his belief that planning permission should have been granted, no breach has taken place and steps required to comply are excessive.

A borough council spokesman said: "We are disappointed and frustrated that this site has been put in place without permission and are taking steps to remove what is an unacceptable development through serving an enforcement notice.

"The applicant has made appeals both against the refusal of planning permission and the enforcement notice.

"Through the appeal process, residents will have the opportunity to make further comments on the matter.

"The appeals will be decided by an independent planning inspector and a date for the appeal hearing will be set in the near future.

Timescales for these are set by national requirements."

Ward councillor Brian Jones said he and residents would object to the appeal.

He said: "Residents are totally against this blatant breach of planning refusal.

We will be opposing this application strenuously."

People have until June 7 to put forward representations to the planning inspector at 3/26 Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.