PLANS to build new gypsy and traveller camps in Pilning have been met with opposition from residents.

Almost 100 people turned out at a special public meeting this week to vent their anger at proposals by South Gloucestershire Council to build two new gypsy and traveller sites and extend an existing site in the village.

The scheme is part of a consultation into possible sites across the district for 53 permanent pitches and 25 transit pitches, which the council was told to find by central government.

The plans for Pilning are to extend an existing site on Bank Road and build a new site nearby with another on Northwick Road.

At the meeting, organised by Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council, residents said they felt their village was being expected to take more than its fair share of sites.

Karen Widdows, 42 of Pilning, said: "If South Gloucestershire has to do this then I'd expect the entire district to have sites and not for them all to be dumped in one area. It isn't fair."

Some residents said they were concerned about the future of the village if the sites went ahead.

Simon Ball, 47, an electrician from Pilning, said: "If this does go ahead they need to guarantee proper police support to help communities like ours and proper management of the sites."

Concerns were also raised about how close the Bank Road sites would be to the new St Peter's Primary School.

Residents also complained about a lack of communication from the council.

A spokesman said: "South Gloucestershire Council has endeavoured to undertake an extensive and participative approach to engaging local communities in what is an emotive and contentious issue. To support and promote the launch of the Gypsy and Traveller DPD Towards Preferred Options consultation, we have recently undertaken stakeholder workshops, community drop in exhibitions and have widely promoted the Gypsy and Traveller DPD through local community networks and newspaper adverts. In addition a telephone advice line, supported by balanced and accurate media reporting, have all provided a full opportunity for residents to find out more about the DPD and the issues and choices that have to be made in order to respond to the Government's Direction.

"An email was sent to Peter Jackson last week inviting him or his representative to attend a public meeting at Bank Road Primary School on 8th December. This invitation was declined, but an offer to meet with three representatives from the Parish Council was put forward as an alternative. This invitation has been accepted and the position acknowledged by the Parish Council.

"Colleagues in the Children and Young People department (CYP) were fully consulted and made aware of the proposals to include sites in the G&T DPD prior to the document being considered by South Gloucestershire Council's Cabinet on 6th October. The proximity of G&T sites in relation to the new school in Pilning was not objected to in principal by CYP. Should further issues be identified, these will be fully considered following the close of the public consultation.

"The current list of proposals are those plots of land which have been put forward to the Council. In addition, not only has the Council's Property Services department searched council-owned land, subject to criteria from the Spatial Planning team, but the Council continues to have discussions with the Government about other publicly-owned land. These efforts to find suitable sites are on top of letters that the Council has written to the National Farmers' Union and utility companies.

"This is a relatively early stage of the process and some proposals will no doubt drop out of the process after the comments received in this consultation have been analysed. The difficulty the Council has experienced over the years in identifying land continues, but the Council must adhere to the Government's Direction. It is also anticipated that other proposals will emerge from the process. This position was explained to the Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council in a recent letter.

"The majority of sites will be private for family use and any 'management' will be the same as for any other private dwelling in South Gloucestershire. Once sites have planning permission with attached conditions, planning enforcement will become easier. Only multiple pitch transit sites will have schemes of management and these will be agreed at the planning application stage."