DORSET Campaign to Protect Rural England is asking for the opinions of residents on plans for traveller and gypsy sites in the area.

The Dorset branch of the CPRE is also questioning whether the calculated total number of sites realistically reflects the number of travellers and gypsies in the area.

Trevor Bevins, CPRE Dorset director, said: “If these crucial calculations amount to an over-provision, which we fear they might be, it could encourage an influx of travellers to the detriment of Dorset’s wellbeing.”

He added: “It could result in an increase in litter and waste, not to mention the economic drain on education, healthcare and social services.”

He said that as Dorset faces increasing unemployment, the area needs to be “encouraging and facilitating” the migration of people who can contribute to the county’s economy “rather than putting a drain on it”.

He said: “As an organisation that actively campaigns to protect our beautiful countryside, we are horrified at the impact any increase in travellers might have.”

He added: “We routinely get calls from residents appalled at the mess left by travellers. We know from experience that the concept of encouraging them to stay in council sites is deeply flawed.”

Mr Bevins said that the CPRE was also critical of the large consultancy fees paid out as part of the investigation.

He said: “In the current economic climate, when local authority employees are losing jobs, it would seem nonsense to be spending these large sums of money on something the majority of the population would not welcome."

CPRE now wants to hear the views of Dorset residents.

For more information and to express an opinion, email Dorset CPRE at: info@dorset-cpre.org.uk