Residents of a village that has been home to an illegal gipsy camp for four years fear the arrival of a new traveller family could further delay eviction proceedings.

The 16-plot site in Oxen Lane, North Curry, near Taunton, taken over by a convoy of caravans in 2004 has since been ruled illegal.

The families have been told to leave by Taunton Deane Borough Council, the Secretary of State, Government planning inspectors and the High Court.

But at each stage of the process a fresh planning application or a new appeal has been lodged, delaying clearance of the field.

This month, a traveller family has sought permission for a pitch at Windmill Hill, a separate site but close to the Oxen Lane camp.

Campaigners who have been fighting to clear the village site for more than four years believe the latest move is just another tactic to muddy the waters of the complex planning process.

Villager Ernie Ormes said: "It's been going on for so long, we have had enough. This is one individual who already has a pitch in another area making a cynical attempt to obtain another."

The traveller family, the Cathcarts, are currently occupying a site at Slough Green, West Hatch, near Taunton, but have been told there is no long-term pitch available.

They have strong ties to the area and three children who are all settled in local schools.

They say they were forced to return to England from France after changes in legislation meant that free health care was no longer available to them.

But North Curry residents say the arrival of travellers on the Windmill Hill field, across the road from Oxen Lane, would set a precedent for more gipsies to set up a new camp on what was formerly the community football pitch.

Dozens of objections against the new application have been submitted to Taunton Deane council and residents are preparing to form a protest group.

A spokesman for Taunton Deane council said: "Regarding the new application at Windmill Hill – this is from a traveller, rather than a gipsy, who is currently occupying a plot, without permission at Slough Green.

"When and/or whether this application goes to the planning committee depends on the response to the consultation that is being undertaken."

High Court injunction proceedings to force the Oxen Lane gipsies off the illegal site began last year.

But the action was put on hold pending the outcome of planning appeals by the gipsy families – the latest of which was heard in June and dismissed by a Government inspector.

Two of the families involved in the latest hearing are appealing against the inspector's decision in a case that will be heard in the High Court in the new year.

The council said it could not take any action against those appellants until a High Court judgement.

North Curry Parish Council is meeting today, Wednesday, to discuss the situation.