Gypsy site cnsultatin

EAST Cambridgeshire residents are being asked fr their views n plans t give gypsy families 15 mre caravan pitches in the district. A 12-week cnsultatin n the plans t tackle the shrtage f caravan pitches was launched n Mnday. The idea has cme

EAST Cambridgeshire residents are being asked fr their views n plans t give gypsy families 15 mre caravan pitches in the district.

A 12-week cnsultatin n the plans t tackle the shrtage f caravan pitches was launched n Mnday.

The idea has cme frm the East f England Reginal Assembly and, if given the g-ahead, means each f the 48 lcal planning authrities in the regin will have t prvide at least 15 extra pitches by 2011.

Assembly chairman, Cuncillr Jhn Reynlds, said: "Gypsies and travellers want smewhere legal t live and lcal cmmunities want t avid the prblems f illegal sites.

"Everyne can nw make their views knwn and influence the final plicy."

In April 2007 a survey in East Cambridgeshire amng 68 gypsy families discvered that 87 per cent wanted t stay in the district; nine per cent were unsure and fur per cent wanted t leave the district t take up scial husing in anther part f the cuntry.

The plans fr the extra pitches frm part f the East f England Plan which prvides a lng-term visin f hw the regin will prvide jbs and hmes fr its residents until 2021 and beynd.

GO-East, the Gvernment ffice f the East f England, is c-rdinating the cnsultatin and peple can take part in the cnsultatin by visiting its website at www.gs.gv.uk/geast and fllwing the links.