by Hayley Robinson

A gipsy family is hoping they won't be uprooted from
their Upchurch site.

John Beaney, 57, his wife Georgina, 42, have submitted a
planning application to Swale council to live permanently at Jack
Russell Place, in Halstow Lane.

The couple and their four children, William, 17, Emily,
15, Jack, 11, and Rita, 10, have lived at the site since
2008.

Temporary planning permission was granted in 2009 but it
is due to expire on June 22.

Applicant Mrs Beaney is seeking the removal of a condition
imposed on the planning permission which limited the use of the
site.

The reason given for imposing the condition at the time
was so the situation could be reviewed at the end of the
period.

The site currently consists of two mobile homes, a
washroom, stables, a tourer van and dog run.

A statement submitted to the council says: "John no longer
works for health reasons. He is disabled because of his knees.
Georgina is a self-employed gardener. They have travelled for much
of their lives and for a time have lived in housing."

A decision is expected to be made between May 23 and June
10.

To view the application visit www.ukplanning.com reference number SW/11/0496.