Travellers have been prevented from moving onto a permanent site because of problems with water, sewerage and electricity.

More than 100 people living in Wakes Colne and Chappel heard Colchester Council approve a controversial application for the site at a planning meeting.

Seven months on, the three families have still not moved onto the three pitches in Vernons Road, Chappel.

The land is owned by Christopher O’Driscoll, who wanted to put six caravans on there.

But a raft of conditions attached to the planning permission has so far prevented the families moving onto the site.

Dave Cookson, agent for the applicant, said: “It is frustrating to the extent they want to be on there, they want it sorted out. It is just one of those difficult things.”

Full story in next week's Gazette.