THE High Court has refused an appeal against a government inspector’s decision over illegal occupation of a site by gypsy caravans in Devil’s Lane, Liphook.

Mr Justice Garnham ordered that permission be refused upon hearing counsel for Felix Connors ask for permission to appeal the decision by a government inspector back on August 31. He also ordered the claimant to pay costs of £3,487.

After a seven-day public inquiry earlier this summer, Mr Connors lost his appeal against an enforcement notice issued by East Hampshire District Council, on land east of Devil’s Lane.

The hearing, led by government inspector Tim Belcher, was an appeal against the issue of the enforcement notice over the use of agricultural land as a gypsy caravan site, issued by EHDC in March.

The Chiltley Lane Action Group, which fought the appeal, highlighted their main issues as the effect on highways safety and the free flow of traffic on Devil’s Lane, the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area, the effect on the biodiversity of the site and whether temporary permission would be appropriate.

After the appeal was dismissed, a 12-month period was granted to clear the site. Mr Connors is now legally obliged to leave by August 31 next year.