WORK to expand Haldon’s £1.2 million gypsy and travellers’ camp was given the thumbs up this week.

It was agreed on Tuesday that three more caravan pitches can be installed on the site, which has been praised as a ‘great success story for Teignbridge Council’.

The council, which owns the site, will also build amenity buildings, site roads and a secure caravan store.

Cllr Ros Prowse said: ‘This is one of the great success stories for this council.

‘It gives the travellers all the facilities they need.’

She believes the planning application for the extension work ‘just shows how good and successful the site is.’

Chudleigh member Richard Keeling said he ‘totally supports’ the three extra pitches.

The total number of pitches at the site, run by Teign Housing, will be bumped up to 18.

One letter of objection – from Exeter Racecourse – was sent to the district authority saying the expansion would impact on its tourism and residents in the area are already facing traffic problems.

The report, which went before councillors on Tuesday, said: ‘Haldon Ridge is home to a well-established community of travellers and now benefits from a well-managed site which is kept within the ownership of Teignbridge Council.’

All 18 councillors voted unanimously in favour of passing the plans.