MINETY residents say their human rights have been trashed by gypsies who have set up camp on the edge of the village.

It has been more than a year since 14 caravans were moved onto a field bought by the gypsies on the B4040 Minety to Cricklade Road.

But despite North Wiltshire District Council's decision to throw out the gypsies' planning application, the camp remains. An attempt by the council to get a High Court injunction was adjourned for the second time last week after a late submission of evidence by the gypsies.

The court had already delayed the case in September to allow the gypsies to compile a human rights case.

Verina Hyland, whose house neighbours the camp, has installed £6,000 of CCTV and security equipment since the gypsies' arrival.

She said the value of her property had dropped by a third: "I am sick and tired with the gypsies continuing on about their human rights while they are trashing everybody else's."

Mrs Hyland added she had lost faith in the planning laws. She said: "Around the village everyone is saying what is the point of the planning application. There are a lot of people whose children would love to stay in the village.

"We asked the council about putting a house on our land for our son and fianc but were told not to apply because we would not get permission."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray said he had been told by planning minister Yvette Cooper that the Human Rights Act could not be used in planning disputes. "It is extremely disappointing to see the judge has given them more time," he said.

"I do not expect the Government to intervene, the gypsies have broken planning law and should be dealt with by the courts. The question is not about policy, it is about implementation."

But Maggie Smith-Bendall of the Romany Gypsy Council said: "No we do not use delaying tactics, it happened because their side did not have time to digest the evidence we handed in.

"That is when it came in. We do not use delaying tactics.

"We will abide by the rules. If the council comes up with a place where all 16 of the people can go, we will accept it."