EXCLUSIVE Romany gypsy family face being kicked off their own land after losing latest planning battle for four pitches despite the local council approving a proposal for a 28 pitch holiday caravan park less than half a mile away By Mark Branagan Published: 14:05 BST, 18 August 2024 | Updated: 14:06 BST, 18 August 2024 e-mail View comments Gypsies surrounded by new holiday park developments face being kicked off their own land after their plea for just four pitches was thrown out. The Sykes family are seething after their application to reside permanently on the site half a mile from the village of Sheriff Hutton, near York, was unanimously rejected by councillors. At the same meeting, the members voted through a proposal for a 28 pitch holiday caravan park less than half a mile away.
The Sykes family are now planning to appeal against the decision and enforcement action will be delayed pending the public inquiry by the Government's planning inspectorate. But if the appeal fails the extended family will be forced to vacate the land they purchased outright and lived on for two years without complaint. Oathie Sykes and his family illegally set up home in the Yorkshire countryside, pictured here, and face being kicked off after their application to reside permanently on the site was unanimously rejected by councillors At the same meeting, the members voted through a proposal for a 28 pitch holiday caravan park less than half a mile away despite the Sykes only requesting four pit.