The public consultation by the South East England Regional Assembly opened this week on plans for new legal camping spaces for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople.

It will run until November 21 and the assembly wants to hear people's views on ten-year targets for new camping spaces and how they should be spread across the south east region.

Many West Hill residents and people living in the Bexhill area last month complained that travellers in caravans who had set up camp near their homes created rubbish and flouted parking laws.

Councillor Moira Gibson, chairman of the assembly's regional planning committee, said: "After years of uncertainty over making space for the gypsy and travelling communities, councils now have a duty to provide new spaces in a bid to cut homelessness and reduce illegal camping.
"We want to hear everyone's opinion on the new plans.

"Our proposals draw on advice from the region's councils and we will be working with them to gather views before the assembly makes recommendations to the Government next spring on the region's needs."
The decision on where the sites will exactly be located lies with local councils.

A Hastings Borough Council spokesman said proposals for exact sites are still being drawn up and added: "There clearly is a need for sites in this area and local people must have a say on where they go."
For more information visit www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/consultations.