THE occupier of disputed green belt land in Shenleybury has apologised for not seeking planning permission for her caravan.

Gypsy Sarah Price has appealed to the planning inspector after Hertsmere Borough Council refused her application for retrospective planning permission for the land adjacent to homes in Shenleybury Cottages.

She told the first day of an inquiry today: “I can only apologise for occupying the site before getting planning permission.

“I was desperate as my children was not getting educated, there was nowhere safe to stop, and no access to water or toilets.”

The site, which currently has a caravan, a generator, and a portable toilet on it, has been the subject of controversy since Ms Price's ex-husband bought the land for £56,000 in December 2009.

She denied having problems with the neighbours, describing herself as a private person.

The 28-year-old said: “I've found them as they found me. I do my thing and they do their thing.

“I've never had a falling out with anyone, I've never been rude to any of them, and they've never been rude to me.

“I don't treat them any different to how I would treat a gypsy lady or gentleman. We've all got our own rights and if you close your door, that's the way it should be.”

Inspector Claire Sherratt is over seeing the two-day hearing after the council turned down retrospective planning applications twice, in June and November last year.

Alan Masters, representing mother-of-four Ms Price, said her personal circumstances should be irrelevant to the case, as the land is perfect for any gypsy or traveller settlement.

He said: “This would be at the top of suitable sites because of the fact it has good access to highways, it's entirely sustainable in location to local facilities and schools.”

He went on to criticise the “inequality of the approach of the council between the settled population and thhe gypsy population”, and said this failure has contributed to the situation before the inspector today.

Mr Masters added that the green belt land was already concreted over before Ms Price moved in, and has a history of being built on as it previously contained garages.

Neighbours of the site are due to outline their support for the council's stance this afternoon, with one – Peter Buttle – already giving evidence of “a nauseous smell for local residents” coming from the site.

The issue has raised a lot of interest in the local community, with more than 200 attending a public meeting about the site in April last year.

The inquiry, at the council offices in Elstree Way, is due to continue this afternoon and into tomorrow, concluding with the inspector conducting a site visit.