Calls to 'spread' traveller sites

Sevenoaks will need 67 more sites over the next five years

Gypsies and travellers in the Sevenoaks area will need 67 new pitches over the next five years, the council has said.

The authority said this was a number "thought to be considerably higher than many neighbouring areas" which, like Sevenoaks, had planning restrictions.

It added it would be lobbying the South East England Regional Assembly (Seera) to ensure provision of sites was spread "more equally" across Kent.

It said the move would provide Gypsies and travellers with "increased choice".

One pitch generally accommodates one permanent caravan or mobile home, the council said.

'Balance sought'

Councillor Carol Clark said: "We will be encouraging Seera to ensure that new provision is shared more equally across Kent and the region in general."

Research was carried out because all local authorities have a legal duty to assess accommodation needs of Gypsies and travellers so any needs can be incorporated into policies, the council said.

A statement from the authority said it would "seek to balance the high level of existing provision in some local authority areas, with very little in others"

It added that Sevenoaks council had recently received funding to provide three additional pitches within its Edenbridge Gypsy and traveller site, reducing the number of new pitches needed.