AN APPEAL to the Secretary of State to provide a gypsy and travellers' site at the former Cudworth railway station has been turned down.

Businessman Derek Heeley, of Midland Road, Royston, applied to the council last year to convert his land on Station Road but permission was refused.

He appealed against the council's decision and a public inquiry was held earlier this year. Peter Kwapisz, 54, of Station Road, said: "It is a just and rightful decision as the site wasn't suitable but I am disappointed in the council that there is no new sites, as it is something that we desperately need."

In her report, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, says although a need for such sites was recognised and that some policies failed to provide them, permission could not be granted because of the harm the site would cause to the Green Belt between Cudworth and Lundwood. It also notes that the council is working on plans to provide such sites by 2010.

The report says a gypsy and traveller site would damage the openness of the land and would ruin the landscape and views.

Mr Heeley refused to comment.

Coun Charlie Wraith said the council is working towards finding sites for gypsies and travellers but not in that area. He added: "The gypsy fraternity said themselves they didn't think that site would be appropriate. We were against it been in the Green Belt and it is the only land between Cudworth and Lundwood and the minister found in our favour which is a good thing in our opinion."