PLANS to set up another gypsy pitch in Hambrook have been refused by Chichester District Council. Planning officers recommended the application for Hopedene, in Common Road, be approved.

However, members of the planning committee were not happy.

The site sits next to The Paddocks, which houses a further 12 pitches.

During a meeting on Wednesday it was agreed that the number of pitches had started to "dominate the settled community".

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The meeting was told that The Paddocks also contained nine unauthorised pitches.

Enforcement action had been taken against some and was imminent against others.

Chichester has a shortage of gypsy and traveller sites, the meeting heard.

Planning officers felt that reducing that shortage balanced any harm caused by this application.

The committee did not agree and the application was refused by 11 votes to one with one abstention.