North Lincolnshire Council is consulting for another month over its future provision for the travelling community and has identified seven sites across its region after a study by Salford University found 46 permanent and five temporary pitches would be needed in the county by 2016.

North Lincolnshire Council's plan is to recommend sites for approval in January 2011 as councils have a legal duty to consider the needs of gypsies and travellers.

There are currently about 80 traveller families in North Lincolnshire and as has been reported in the Mail there is on-going controversy over encampments that are established periodically in and around Brigg.

Mick Grant, the North Lincolnshire Council cabinet member for housing, said: "The council, wants to hear the views of residents, businesses and travellers on whether they think the chosen sites are suitable. And, if not, whether they can think of suitable alternative sites."
"It is not an option not to provide sites. By law we must do so. We need to look at the long-term future of the sites. And this also means ensuring that the necessary security measures are in place."

Other proposed sites are: Conesby Quarry on Normanby Road, Scunthorpe; Caistor Road, Barton; and two sites on Falkland Way, Barton.

Go to www.northlincs.gov.uk/gypsiesandtravellersites to see the consultation document. Consultation ends on September 19.