Ilkley residents wanting to prevent the annual visit of gipsies to a site in Denton Road have suffered a setback.

Councillors and residents living opposite the site in Leeds Road site voiced disgust about rubbish and damage to trees.

The landowner, who is believed to live in the South of England, has made it clear she wants the land to remain accessible for members of the public and is reluctant to have it sealed off from the road.

At Monday evening's Ilkley Parish Council meeting, parish clerk Miggy Bailey revealed a renewed plea for a gipsy-free zone had fallen on deaf ears.

She had received a letter from the owner's solicitors which stated her position remained the same.

The issue causes controversy each year, with the finger of blame pointed at the gipsies.

However, the animosity is not felt by every Olicanian. Some residents feel the travellers do no harm.

Others have claimed irresponsible members of the public have used the presence of the gipsies as a cover to dump rubbish, knowing the travellers would receive the blame.

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