Proposed locations for 80 new traveller and gipsy pitches can be revealed.

On Monday, The Argus reported that consultants employed by local authorities had estimated that the number of plots in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex would need to double by 2011 to tackle illegal encampments.

A report on accommodation requirements for travellers and gipsies will be released before the end of January.

But East Sussex's five district councils and Brighton and Hove City Council have begun to release information on the investigation.

Councillor Robert Tidy, East Sussex County Council's cabinet member for community services, confirmed on Tuesday that 80 extra pitches had been identified by David Couttie Associates, with 34 earmarked for East Sussex.

But conflicting information has now emerged from the other local authorities involved.

Yesterday, Brighton and Hove City Council said the report had found that only 17 extra temporary or permanent plots were required for the city.

Wealden District Council had been allotted 34 pitches, Lewes five, Eastbourne four, Hastings seven and Rother 13. Councillor Gill Mitchell, Brighton and Hove's environment committee chairwoman, said the city was willing to take a fair allocation of new pitches but that 17 was too many given the lack of space.

She said: "We haven't got much land to play with but this is an early stage of the process."

Brighton is already home to a 23-plot site in Horsdean, which is currently being upgraded to increase occupancy rates, but the council said it had no plans to add extra pitches.

Hastings Borough Council is already looking at creating a ten-pitch temporary site in one of three areas.

In a report to be discussed on January 8, the council said consultants had identified the need for 70 permanent pitches across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove and 24 transit pitches.

It goes on to say that Hastings is required to provide for seven permanent families but a council spokesman told The Argus: "There is no demand for permanent pitches in the east of the county and we think providing up to ten temporary pitches is reasonable."

In Eastbourne, the council confirmed that a total of 80 pitches were required and said there was a need for a site of eight to ten pitches in its area.

A report discussed earlier this month states: "Such provision will ensure that the predicted needs of travellers are met on an appropriate and well-managed site.

"It will also minimise the incidence of future unauthorised encampments by providing suitable alternative facilities."

The East Sussex and Brighton and Hove report will be submitted next summer to the South East England Regional Assembly, which will identify the needs for the whole of the South East.

A public consultation on the proposal will take place in February 2008 at the latest.

Sites are currently being identified across East Sussex, with some councils already putting proposals forward and others intending to publish options next year.

Brighton and Hove said it would be consulting residents on potential locations in early 2008.