ROMANY gipsies want to dispel fears about their site in Higher Walton as an application to make it permanent goes to councillors.

The family group live on green belt land in the village that they bought in 1996. Every four years they have had to reapply for permission to stay but on Wednesday councillors will decide if the gipsies can remain permanently.

Bill Smith, aged 39, who heads up the family said: "Gipsies live in caravans, it's our way of life but most of us stay in one spot all our lives.

"We've been here for almost nine years and there haven't been any problems. The police haven't been around - there are no problems with drugs or all-night parties.

"Before we lived here we had to move from place to place around Warrington and St Helens, which isn't good for the kids' education. I know people don't like change but I would ask them, if they don't let us live here, what is the solution? Where would they put us?"

However, people living in the conservation area of Walton Lea Road, Old Chester Road and Warrington Road are unhappy that green belt land has been encroached on.

One 60-year-old resident of Old Chester Road, Higher Walton, said: "We live in a conservation area so, for example, can't change the Georgian windows in our houses to PVC. I agree it looks better but the travellers too are on green belt land. Why is there one rule for one and not for the other?"

The application will be decided at next Wednesday's borough council development Control meeting at 6.30pm in the Town Hall. Member of the public are welcome.