THE go-ahead has been given to extend a village gypsy site. A decision to add 12 more caravan pitches on land next to an existing travellers' site at Moorland Park in Hewish was approved by members of North Somerset Council's south area committee on Wedne

THE go-ahead has been given to extend a village gypsy site.A decision to add 12 more caravan pitches on land next to an existing travellers' site at Moorland Park in Hewish was approved by members of North Somerset Council's south area committee on Wednesday.Applicant Peter Penfold made a last-minute offer that six of the new spaces would be offered to travellers currently camped on unauthorised sites in North Somerset.Councillors backed the extension of the camp despite officers' advice to delay a decision to allow more research into how badly the extra pitches were needed.But Cllr Tom Liemdorfer said: "I am puzzled by this because my feeling is the need for these 12 pitches is well established."On the whole, the feeling in Congresbury is this should be approved."The final decision on the site will be made at the council's planning and regulatory committee on July 5.