A new permanent site for travellers could be built in Brighton and Hove within the next year and a half. This autumn householders in the city are set to receive a consultation about the site which would exist in addition to the current one in Horsdean.

The Green administration confirmed that finding such a site was a priority but refused to confirm which sites it was looking at, only that it wanted to put an end to illegal encampments. ANNA ROBERTS looks at what sites could become a new, legal camp for travellers.

The Green administration at Brighton and Hove City Council wants to create a permanent traveller site to “reduce the expense and misery of the merry-go-round of evictions”.

Councillor Pete West, Cabinet member for the environment, defended plans to build a second permanent site for travellers in Brighton and Hove.

Coun West, who will join colleagues in discussing the council’s Gypsy, Roma and Travellers’ Action Plan for 2012/13 at a meeting on Thursday, denied rumours that a second permanent site had already been chosen.

He said: “No location has yet been chosen for a permanent traveller site for the city.

“We are currently conducting a search across the city as a matter of urgency and will make an announcement as soon as we can but in the meantime we operate a firm but fair policy.

“We want to meet local need for resident travellers and help alleviate the pressure on sensitive sites that are sometimes used for unauthorised encampments, which can have an impact on such sites use by the settled population.

“A permanent site will also help us reduce the expense and misery of the merry-go-round of gypsy and traveller evictions.”

Fellow Green councillor Ben Duncan said: “We absolutely need more sites. It is a priority to find more sites and we want to work with the community to do this.”

The Argus spoke to other councillors and interested parties who overwhelmingly spoke in favour of extending the current site at Horsdean, if it is legally possible.

Michael Murray, from the Brighton and Hove Environmental Action Group, said: “In my opinion it makes sense to extend the current transit site at Horsdean.

“I’ve heard nothing at all about what the Green administration has in mind and I’ve kept my ear very close to the ground – I keep asking.

“People have more or less accepted the current site at Horsdean so extending it would make sense.”

Extending Horsdean was supported by both Conservative and Labour members including Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn and Councillor Gill Mitchell.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “No site has yet been chosen for a permanent traveller site for the city.

“We are currently conducting a site search across the city as a matter of urgency and will make an announcement on the matter as soon as we can.”

Council strategic director Geoff Raw, author of the report which was released ahead of the meeting, said: “The 2007 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment identified a need for 16 permanent pitches in the city.

“The council is currently searching for a suitable site and hopes to be able to consult on this in autumn with work starting early in 2012/13.”

Conservative councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn summed it up when he said: “I expect the final site will be the one with the least opposition.”

The Argus contacted Brighton based Friends, Families and Travellers who did not respond by the time we went to press.

The Argus has spoken to opposition councillors and interested parties to draw up a list of sites which could be earmarked for a permanent traveller camp in Brighton and Hove. No one from the Greens was available to comment.

Horsdean

People have called on the council to extend the current legal travellers site at Horsdean in Patcham.

Coun Garry Peltzer Dunn is the Conservative member for Wish ward and also their representative for housing.

He said: “If it is physically possible to extend Horsdean it seems to be logical. I don’t know what covenants are in place there but it is a very sensible suggestion.”

Coun Gill Mitchell, Labour leader, agreed.

She said: “That is something that might be possible.”

Sheepcote Valley

A former landfill site and BMX track, the Conservative administration suggested building a permanent travellers’ site here.

But the plan fell through after the land was deemed contaminated. There was also mass public objection to this proposal. Yesterday both Coun Peltzer Dunn and Coun Mitchell said they did not think the Greens would adopt this as a permanent site.

Coun Peltzer Dunn said: “There are land contamination issues. The cost of decontaminating it is, I think, astronomical.”

Coun Mitchell added: “The land was proved to very heavily contaminated and it was ruled out.”

19 Acres, off Devil’s Dyke Road

Both councillors said no to this suggestion which was put forward as a possibility.

Travellers have previously set up illegal encampments at the site.

But Coun Peltzer Dunn said: “Instinctively I feel I would have great trouble supporting it.”

Coun Mitchell added: “I don’t think it is appropriate. I think there will be an enormous amount of local opposition.”

Waterhall

There is currently an illegal encampment of travellers at Waterhall. The site is a recreation ground but has been mooted as a possibility for a permanent site.

Coun Peltzer Dunn said: “It is extremely controversial.

“It’s in the national park and has a lot of sports facilities in the area.

“There are also extremely limited facilities. I don’t think it would be a suitable site.”

Coun Mitchell added: “No absolutely not. There is a clear conflict with the use of that site and it is in a national park.”

39 acres, off Ditchling Road

Travellers have been staying on this site, although they have now moved on.

Coun Peltzer Dunn: “The pure size has potential but it would need a good study.”

Coun Mitchell said: “No.”

Hangleton Bottom, Hove

Coun Peltzer Dunn: “This site has been extremely contentious. It’s been mooted in the past and there is a great deal of opposition to it. It’s highly viable and is an urban lung.”

Coun Mitchell: “I don’t think this should be a permanent site as it is too exposed – absolutely not.”

Benfield Valley, Hove

Travellers set up camp here recently and Coun Dawn Barnett, for Hangleton and Knoll, gave them directions to land in Green-run wards.

Coun Peltzer Dunn said: “There would be an incredible amount of opposition to this and again access is an issue.

“However, this site brings up the possibility of two small sites and one larger site.”

Again Coun Mitchell objected to it.

Preston Barracks, Lewes Road, Brighton

The former barracks, off Lewes Road in the heart of Brighton, are being developed. They were suggested as a possible permanent traveller site. Coun Peltzer Dunn said there was no way it should be built here.

He said: “There are plans very much in train for the area.

“It is to form the intellectual corridor in line with the universities and is not suitable.”

Where should the legal travellers camp be sited? Let us know below