A PROTEST group has been set up to oppose plans for a small traveller s site in Haddenham. The proposals, which have not yet been approved by East Cambs District Council, would see the builders yard on Hod Hall Lane, Haddenham, turned into four pitches f

A PROTEST group has been set up to oppose plans for a small traveller's site in Haddenham.

The proposals, which have not yet been approved by East Cambs District Council, would see the builders' yard on Hod Hall Lane, Haddenham, turned into four pitches for a family of travellers.

At least one family of travellers is already living on Hod Hall Lane, and residents

Haddenham residents have formed a group to oppose the application, which will be decided by December 16.

One female resident, who did not want to be named said: "I don't want people to think that Haddenham is a prejudiced village but what would you do if travellers arrived in your back yard?"

"We don't want to tar them all with the same brush - the family that already live down Hod Hall Lane are involved in the community and have never caused any trouble."

Local authority policy is to house travellers on sites where other travelling families already have pitches.

The woman and around 15 fellow protestors gave a presentation to Haddenham Parish Council on Wednesday and may take a formal petition to East Cambs District Council.

The East of England has the largest number of caravans of any region in the country, and the highest level of caravans on unauthorised sites.

Local authority figures show 221 traveller households in East Cambs, with the figure projected to rise to nearly 260 by 2010.

At the last national census in 2001, there were 1061 gypsies and travellers in East Cambs, out of a total of 6829 in the East of England.

(1334 in South Cambs; 2851 in Fenland)

In February 2008 the East of England Regional Assembly announced that 35 new pitches would be required by 2011, putting the total pitches in East Cambs at 140.