The meeting heard that the council had agreed an option with Cranmore Lane couple Harvey and Fiona Robbins, whose home is next door to the illegal camp, to buy it for £320,000, including costs, so that they could move on and make a new life for themselves if that site was progressed.
However, councillors were against putting it forward for planning because of the moral implications.
E-MAIL US YOUR VIEWSpeaking after the meeting Mrs Robbins said: "I think we were open to the decision going either way.
"We said some months ago we couldn't keep hanging on but now we have got to try and work this out and just see what happens next.
"I cannot say I am surprised."
