A three-year saga over whether court action should be taken over an illegal caravan site next to Watton Horse Fair should finally be resolved next month.

A three-year saga over whether court action should be taken over an illegal caravan site next to Watton Horse Fair should finally be resolved next month.

Since January 2005 there have been calls for action to stop caravans parking next to the site at Thetford Road when the event is held - or the organisers should obtain planning permission.

Breckland Council officials agree there is enough evidence to authorise a prosecution - but need to decide if it is in the public interest to take action.

During yesterday's Breckland full council meeting, Watton member Keith Gilbert complained about delays in making a decision and said he had been told it was being put off again until October.

But after hearing of the fresh hold-ups, leader William Nunn insisted a report would be brought to the scrutiny and cabinet meetings in September.

Mr Gilbert said: “What I am annoyed at is that this has been going on for three and a half years. Since then members have been fobbed off by officers and things have been put on the back burner.

“People are fed up with things being dragged out for eternity. We are giving a green light to anyone with a field to operate an unauthorised caravan site.”

Labour group leader Robin Goreham said the delays had been “unacceptable”.

Ian Monson - whose ward includes Little Cressingham - said there was local concern about caravans going there if they were not allowed next to the horse fair site.

“They already get people when the horse fair is on. Travellers and gipsies are camping illegally, leaving the usual problems.”