FOUR potential locations for gypsy and traveller sites have been earmarked in Bournemouth, the Daily Echo can reveal. Three of them are on green belt land.

The suggestions, drawn up by consultants Baker Associates, are

• 10 transit pitches off Park Road, Lansdowne (bordering the Wessex Way and public car park off Lansdowne Road)

• three residential pitches near Erlin Farm, Muscliffe Lane,

• five residential pitches off Careys Road, off Broadway Lane

• eight residential pitches on the edge of urban development at Throop Road, between Woodbury Avenue and the allotments.

The last three are all on green belt.

And although Bournemouth politicians have previously insisted there are no suitable sites in the borough, they say they cannot rule anything in or out at this stage.

Next month, councillors will be asked to go out to public consultation and ask local residents what they think, though one MP said the process was “a waste of money”.

It’s part of a countywide search for sites on which to establish legal sites for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople.

Cllr David Smith, Cabinet member for Communities and Planning, said: “These sites are not endorsed by us as a council. However the government is insisting that we consult with residents on the suitability of these sites for gypsy and traveller accommodation.”

He added: “We will listen very carefully to what they have to say.”

Council leader, Cllr Peter Charon said the council was not simply “going through the motions”.

But he said he was “very disappointed” that the coalition government had not delivered on a promised change in the law, to allow councils to work together or for individual councils to determine to right level of provision in their area.

One answer would be for a site to be provided in one area for use by a number of authorities, he said.

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said: “I am very concerned that Bournemouth Council believe they are obliged to carry out this work to identify sites for gypsies and travellers around the borough.

“The Conservative party was clear this requirement would be removed and councils would be able to work together to find shared sites that would remove the burden on every individual council to find their own sites.

“I will urgently be talking to ministers to find out what, if anything, has changed.”

Cabinet on October 12 will be asked to approve consultation, but not express a view on the proposals.

A series of public exhibitions is planned along with an online questionnaire and comments form.

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