WINSFORD may not be in line for a gipsy, traveller and show person site after all.

Despite a lengthy consultation process, packed-out public meetings and a site in New Road, Winsford, being shortlisted under the former Vale Royal Borough Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council has been ordered to carry out its own survey.

Residents will once again be asked to put forward their suggestions for potential sites, but CWaC will be taking the previous consultation carried out by Vale Royal into consideration.

A council spokesman said: “We will be using the information from the previous consultation in our survey. However, we cannot say to what extent given that this time the study is across all of West Cheshire.”

The Government wants Cheshire West to provide 45 permanent pitches and 10 transit pitches by 2016.

It already has 59 pitches on five sites and has challenged the figures, suggesting that it should in fact be between 31 and 45 new pitches based on the findings of a 2007 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment.

However private sites do not count towards the quota.

Clr Herbert Manley, prosperity executive member, said: “Whilst we have this existing number of pitches, one of the sites only has an ‘accepted‘ status and the remainder are private.

“The Government wants us to increase the number of official pitches to the consultation figure and whilst we are challenging this figure, we do accept the need for additional provision.

“Having permanent sites provide certainty for everyone.”

He said the sites are necessary to stop illegal encampments.

He added: “Not only are they beneficial for the gipsy, traveller and travelling showperson community, but an absence of authorised sites has been used by the courts and planning inspectorate throughout the country to justify retention of some unauthorised gipsy and traveller developments.

“If sites are not identified it is likely that unauthorised encampments and developments will continue, sometimes in inappropriate and unsuitable locations which in the past have led to problems and local tensions, along with considerable expenditure in enforcement action, legal and clear up costs.

“It is important to stress that there will be consultation with the public both before and after a short list is agreed and also at the planning application stage.”