PEOPLE living in South Gloucestershire are being asked to comment on several new sites being considered for gypsy and traveller sites.

The authority has this week released an additional list of seven sites it would like to gauge public opinion on.

The seven sites include five existing gypsy and traveller sites that could be extended and two previously unused sites.

The sites are, Little Acre, Dyers Lane, Iron Acton, Moor Paddock, Westerleigh Road, Land at Tanhouse Lane, Yate, 56 Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath, Giddy End, Winterbourne, 85a Parkfield Road, Pucklechurch and The Meadows, Parkfield, Pucklechurch.

Last year South Gloucestershire Council launched a consultation on the possible sites of new gypsy and traveller pitches after it was told by central government that there was a shortfall in the district.

The authority has to find the locations for 53 permanent pitches and 25 transit pitches.

The council’s earlier consultation has already asked for the public’s views on 17 other potential sites including locations in Pilning, Almondsbury, Winterbourne and Yate.

Peter Jackson, South Gloucestershire’s director of planning, transportation and strategic environment, said: "We have been going through the responses from the consultation and an issue that was raised was the suggestion of sites that we had not previously considered.

"We now have to consider whether these new sites would perform better or worse than some of the other sites previously listed.

"It could be that none of these sites are included in the final list but we thought it would be useful to gauge public views on them before they are considered like the previously highlighted 17 sites."

Members of the public have until July 13 to make any comments on the additional list.

Once these comments have been received officers at the council will then prepare the authority’s Development Plan Document on gypsy and traveller sites, which will include the final list of sites considered suitable to take the new pitches.

The Development Plan Document will have to be approved by cabinet before it goes to a public enquiry where people will again be allowed to comment.

For more information visit, www.southglos.gov.uk/gypsydpd