The �1.4m expansion of a travellers site on green belt land was confirmed at a borough council planning meeting last night.

The Twyfords Orchard site, in London Road, currently has 16 pitches on it, meaning it falls short of the central government "Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites - Good Practice Guide."

Jeremy Hardman of Ruscombe Parish Council opposed the decision at the meeting and said: "Almost 90 per cent of the parish is in the green belt and this is what gives a truly rural atmosphere to the area. We need to protect this."

However, the council agreed that "very special circumstances" meant expansion into the green belt is acceptable in this instance.

Chris Bowring, vice-chairman of the planning committee, said: "I don't want to evict these people and I believe that is quite an overwhelming reason for supporting this application."

Six of the committee voted to approve the application, while liberal democrat councillors Lindsay Ferris and Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey abstained.