PEOPLE in East Dorset will soon be able to have their say on gypsy and traveller sites proposed for the district.

East Dorset District Council launches its consultation on November 18 and it will run until February 10.

All of Dorset’s local authorities are running the consultation at the same time with the aim of producing a Development Plan Document, which, once adopted, will allocate permanent and transit sites to meet the county’s needs for the next 15 years.

But it will be far from easy, with opposition movements already cropping up.

In East Dorset, two public exhibitions will be held, one at the Allendale Community Centre from 12-3.30pm on November 24 and one at The Hub, Verwood, on November 28, 3.30-7.30pm.

Documents and response forms will be available at EDDC’s offices at Colehill and libraries around the district.

Cllr Spencer Flower, leader of East Dorset District Council, said: “I encourage all members of the East Dorset community to have their say on the gypsy and traveller sites proposed for the district.

“The two public exhibitions are an ideal opportunity for residents to find out more about the process and speak to Baker Associates (who drew up a list of proposed sites) and council staff, who will be able to answer any questions they may have.”

Having permanent and transit sites will give police more power to move on travellers who camp illegally.

All information is online at dorsetforyou.com/travellerpitches, where comments can be made.

Anyone with queries about the consultation for East Dorset can contact policy.planning@eastdorset.gov.uk or phone 01202 886201 and ask for policy planning.