A man who parked a caravan and put up fences and gates on green belt land in Pucklechurch has been given permission to challenge an £8,000 court costs bill.

Brian Hazell, 51, lost an appeal in 2007 to keep the caravan in Sloes Well Paddock in Westerleigh Road.

He had applied for planning permission for a mobile home after buying the site for £21,000 but moved the caravan on to the land before planners could determine the application.

Hazell failed to remove the caravans when South Gloucestershire Council asked him to take away any development from the field and ended up in Bristol Crown Court.

He admitted failing to comply with an enforcement notice and was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to remove the caravan, fencing gates and hard surfaces he had put down.

But he was also hit with an £8,000 bill to cover the costs of the prosecution, which he claims he cannot pay.

His appeal against the costs was adjourned in April to allow him more time to prove the value of his assets.

Judge Michael Mettyear QC told London's Criminal Appeal Court that Hazell had been given until May 22 to file documentation but had not filed anything until June 10.

He said the submitted paperwork had been left "very much to the last minute" but added there was enough information to convince them that Hazell had an arguable case.

Hazell had previously told the court he did not have the income to cover the costs and his assets were either of low value or owned by his estranged wife.

Judge Mettyear, sitting alongside Lord Justice Goldring and Mr Justice Burton, gave Hazell leave to appeal.