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Gypsies lose games site legal row Gypsies lose games site legal row
(30 minutes later)
Gypsy families who are being evicted to make way for the 2012 Olympics have lost a High Court battle for the right to be relocated to an alternative site.Gypsy families who are being evicted to make way for the 2012 Olympics have lost a High Court battle for the right to be relocated to an alternative site.
The families have been living at the Clays Lane Travellers' site in east London for almost 40 years.The families have been living at the Clays Lane Travellers' site in east London for almost 40 years.
Last October they challenged a decision by the London Development Authority not to apply for planning permission for a preferred site at nearby Chobham Farm. Last October they challenged a decision by the London Development Agency not to apply for planning permission for a preferred site at nearby Chobham Farm.
But the High Court ruled the LDA had not acted irrationally or unlawfully.But the High Court ruled the LDA had not acted irrationally or unlawfully.
The LDA has tried at all times to balance the needs of travellers and local residents and this ruling is a recognition of that LDA spokesmanThe LDA has tried at all times to balance the needs of travellers and local residents and this ruling is a recognition of that LDA spokesman
The LDA had indicated that it required vacant possession of the land for the Olympics by July 2007, and there was insufficient time to make Chobham Farm available for the families.The LDA had indicated that it required vacant possession of the land for the Olympics by July 2007, and there was insufficient time to make Chobham Farm available for the families.
It therefore decided to acquire a site at Major Road Park in Newham.It therefore decided to acquire a site at Major Road Park in Newham.
Deputy Judge George Bartlett said: "I am unable to conclude that the Major Road site is simply unsuitable or unsustainable".Deputy Judge George Bartlett said: "I am unable to conclude that the Major Road site is simply unsuitable or unsustainable".
He said the gypsies' rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights to a family and home life did not mean they had a legal right to the site of their choice.He said the gypsies' rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights to a family and home life did not mean they had a legal right to the site of their choice.
The families' legal battle was led by Lily Smith, a Romany gypsy who has lived at the Clays Lane Travellers' site for more than 30 years.The families' legal battle was led by Lily Smith, a Romany gypsy who has lived at the Clays Lane Travellers' site for more than 30 years.
But Marc Willers, appearing for Mrs Smith, said the Major Road Park site was unsuitable because it would lead to the loss of local community open space and considerable objection from local residents.But Marc Willers, appearing for Mrs Smith, said the Major Road Park site was unsuitable because it would lead to the loss of local community open space and considerable objection from local residents.
Judicial reviewJudicial review
He also said there had been a failure to explain why vacant possession of the Clays Lane site was required by July 2007, or what prejudice would be caused if there was a delay.He also said there had been a failure to explain why vacant possession of the Clays Lane site was required by July 2007, or what prejudice would be caused if there was a delay.
Concerns about safety and security at the site, which was surrounded by busy roads on all four sides, were also raised.Concerns about safety and security at the site, which was surrounded by busy roads on all four sides, were also raised.
It would "be like living in a zoo", argued Mr Willers.It would "be like living in a zoo", argued Mr Willers.
The judge disagreed and dismissed the application for permission to seek judicial review, saying that the gypsy families had "no reasonable prospect of success".The judge disagreed and dismissed the application for permission to seek judicial review, saying that the gypsy families had "no reasonable prospect of success".
An LDA spokesman said: "We welcome the High Court's decision.An LDA spokesman said: "We welcome the High Court's decision.
"The LDA has tried at all times to balance the needs of travellers and local residents, and this ruling is a recognition of that.""The LDA has tried at all times to balance the needs of travellers and local residents, and this ruling is a recognition of that."
But he said it is important that a resolution to the situation of the families is found quickly.But he said it is important that a resolution to the situation of the families is found quickly.