CONTROVERSIAL plans to allow a gypsy family to permanently site a caravan in East Brent have been rejected following fierce opposition from residents.

Opponents were "disgusted" by the family's bid to retain land at Burton Row to site a mobile home, touring caravan and build a utility room with bathroom and toilet.

Mr Isaacs and his pregnant wife insist they and their son have the right to live where they want and should not be unfairly treated because they are gypsies.

They have lived there for about three months and say they needed to stay to support Mr Isaacs' ill father and be near Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital so Mrs Isaacs can visit her midwife.

But Sedgemoor District Council's development committee denied them the right to remain after councillors visited the site following a previous meeting in July.

The family have the right to appeal against the decision but will be evicted if it fails.

Development manager Alex Sebbinger said: "The committee could not grant the application as it was in their view the planning harm outweighed any benefit from a positive decision.

"It was also refused as it falls outside the development boundary for the area."

There were also objections from county councillor Alan Ham, who represents the Brent division, the Highways Authority, parish council and about 50 protest letters.

Villagers said permission would set a precedent, leading to more gypsies moving into the area, but said it had no objections to the Isaacs building a house and paying taxes as others in the community do.

It also believes it should have been consulted and the issue does not follow planning rules, including being outside the development boundary.

Supporters included Brent Knoll Primary School headteacher Karen Davidson, who said: "Any disruption to their son's schooling would affect him academically and socially."

Other supporters said the family were "very friendly, polite and helpful", adding that "you can't see the mobile home unless you know it's there" and "they are good neighbours."