The 18 families living between Elmswell and Woolpit near the A14 set up camp in the summer without permission.

Dozens of local people and surrounding parish councils sent in objections, citing the camp's location on a floodplain in an unspoilt area.

Objections had also centred around the impact of the travelling families on local schools.

The travellers had sought retrospective permission for the site to be made official and permanent, with space for 36 caravans.