Howard 'would block gipsy land buy-ups'

Michael Howard today promised tougher action to prevent travellers from setting up illegal campsites.

The Tory leader unveiled a five-point plan to stop gipsies and travellers "wilfully abusing" the planning system.

He said communities had been blighted by travellers buying up parcels of land to create illegal camps. Local authorities then face long and costly court battles to evict them.

The travellers often apply for planning permission retrospectively. In a recent case the Court of Appeal ruled that a camp could stay because the Human Rights Act entitled them to a right to a home.

Mr Howard, on a tour of the West Country, said: "Most travellers are law abiding people who live in harmony with their local communities. But there are some who do not."

He said the Tories would give councils powers to remove unlawfully sited caravans. Residents would have the final say on where camps went and there would be new restrictions on irresponsible land speculation.

The Tories would also review the Human Rights Act and planning laws, he added.