A CONTROVERSIAL gypsy site that was started illegally near Cricklade has been given permanent permission.

Wiltshire Council’s decision over the 14-plot site comes at a time when more than £5 million of government money has been earmarked for multiple traveller sites across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

It is hoped the multi-million funding will help to tackle the problem of illegal encampments across the counties.

The 14-plot site by the A419 in Calcutt was criticised by Cricklade Town Council and residents when it was granted temporary planning permission for two years back in 2010.

At the time, Wiltshire Council came under fire from local residents for allowing the site to go ahead after the gypsy community built on the land although the council had forbidden it.

But after an application for permanent residence was granted in November 2011, it was clear the residents of Calcutt Park would not be moved on.

Toby Sturgis, cabinet member for planning, said the funding of £60 million in total from the Homes and Community Agency for new and improved traveller sites would help to deter unauthorised encampments across the country.

Over the next three years more than £3.4 million will be spent on creating 20 new pitches and also refurbishing 40 existing pitches on council-owned sites in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Councillor Peter Colmer said the council was opposed to any abuse of the planning system and the new authorised sites should help to put a stop to that.

The council currently owns six permanent sites and one transit site and is contributing £250,000 from its earmarked funding for gypsy and traveller sites to support the project.

In Gloucestershire, the housing association Matrix has been awarded £1.7 million to spend on 38 new pitches, including two in Twining near Tetbury.

Funding for all pitches, which cost between £45,000 and £60,000 each, needs to be spent and work completed by March 2015.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “The council will be carrying out an extensive consultation with travellers and local residents before determining how and where the funds will be distributed.”