The decision has saved Leeds City Council hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal costs.

The Government's planning inspectorate rejected claims that travellers from Gipsy origin had every right to reside on the land they own.

This case could have set a precedent if the travellers had been allowed to stay, but due to access issues, they have been turned down.
Leeds City Council issued an enforcement notice after travellers moved seven caravans onto green belt land at Leadwell Lane, in Rothwell, in April.

Residents living nearby complained about anti-social behaviour, noise from generators, access problems and rubbish.

A spokesman for the Leadwell Lane Residents' Group said that people had felt "threatened and intimidated". Travellers were ordered by Leeds City Council to remove caravans and other vehicles from the site.

The council's enforcement notice also says hardcore recently laid down at the plot must be ripped up and replaced with grass seed.

But the owner of the land Martin Conners - a traveller - lodged an appeal against the order.

Councillor Les Carter, executive member for neighbourhood and housing, said: "I am delighted with the decision. It is a relief for the people who live nearby. Planning laws are there for a reason.

People cannot simply buy land and decide to live on it then apply retrospectively for permission to live there.

"The decision has stopped a precedent. This is the first time I know about that a traveller has bought land in Leeds and decided to live on it. It has happened down south."

Five years ago the local authority became embroiled in a long-running dispute with the Maloneys, a family of travellers it evicted from
playing fields at Spinkwell Lane, Tingley.

The case made headlines after the Maloneys were granted up to £60,000 in legal aid to pursue the ultimately-unsuccessful claim that their human rights had been breached.

The case is estimated to have cost the council up to £300,000 overall.
Council bosses in Leeds spend nearly £120,000 a year cleaning up land that has been occupied by travellers.

Residents of terraced homes at Leadwell Lane today said they were delighted with the result.

A spokesman said: "The last of the travellers left a few weeks ago and things are getting back to normal.

"Under the order they have to come back at some stage and take down the fencing and gates and to take up the hard standing they put down .

"Things have been great since they left.

"Thanks to the Yorkshire Evening Post for highlighting our case."
The city's official travellers site at Cottingley Springs is full with a waiting list.

Helen Jones, of Leeds GATE (Gypsy And Traveller Exchange) said the situation in Rothwell highlighted the need for more official traveller sites in Leeds.

She said: "The council has missed an opportunity to provide a much needed site for travellers.

"Ultimately the people who suffer in all this are the settled residents of Leeds. More official sites are desperately needed.

"At any one time there are around 50 travellers families with no permanent home in and around the Leeds area. It affects the everyday people of Leeds, like those who want to play rugby, walk their dogs and enjoy their life.

"The travellers are left with no choice to pull up on the roadside and park their caravans.

"I am very disappointed in the result. This just means another travelling family on the roadside."