A PUBLIC consultation is being held for people to view a gipsy and traveller plan.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s controversial Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan will open for public consultation today (Monday).

The draft plan includes a recommended short list of seven gipsy and traveller sites, including one on the land south of Fairfield and west of Stotfold Road. A total of 10 pitches have been proposed for the site but people are concerned about the location.

Residents will be able to give their views via the planning pages of Central Bedfordshire Council’s website and paper copies of the documents will be available at council offices and libraries.

Chairman of Fairfield Parish Council Barrie Dack said: “We will be using the newsletter to give people guidance to use in the consultation and urge as many people as possible to voice their concerns.”

Cllr Nigel Young, executive member for sustainable communities said that the plan has provoked some strong reactions and there has been considerable debate on the short list of sites. “It’s important that we try to meet the housing needs of all our local communities – yet we also want to fully understand the potential impact of our proposals. The upcoming consultation is the best opportunity for people to have their say on it,” he said.

“Those of you who have written or emailed already, please do so again via the questionnaire, as this is the time to make your views count. This questionnaire gives you the freedom to say what you want, using the guidelines which are necessary to make it suitable for assessment by the planning inspector,” he added.

Submissions will be provided to the Secretary of State, who will then appoint an independent planning inspector to examine the plan.

The consultation will be open until Monday, July 1.

For updates on the plan visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/gypsytravellerplan