A CONTROVERSIAL gypsy site that was started illegally near Cricklade has been given permanent permission.

Wiltshire Council’s decision over the 14-plot site comes as a £5m Government windfall for enlarging traveller sites across Wiltshire is unveiled.

It is hoped that the multi-million pound funding will help tackle the problem of illegal campments.

The site, by the A419 at Calcutt, was criticised by Cricklade Town Council and residents when it was granted temporary permission for two years in 2010.

Wiltshire Council was criticised by residents for failing to stop the travellers developing the site.

An application for permanent residence was granted in November.

Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for planning, said the funding from £60m in total from the Home and Community Agency for new and improved traveller sites would help to deter unauthorised encampments.

Over the next three years more than £3.4m will be spent on creating 20 new pitches and refurbishing 40 existing pitches on council-owned sites across Wiltshire.

The council owns six permanent sites and one transit site and is contributing £250,000 for gypsy and traveller sites to support the project.

Funding for all pitches, which cost between £45,000 and £60,000 each, needs to be completed by March 2015.