CONCERNS have been raised that sites for gypsy and traveller homes are disproportionately in the southern parishes of the Winchester district.

Civic chiefs met to approve the Winchester District Traveller Development Plan, which includes planning permission for three pitches at Ourlands, east of Mayles Lane, Knowle, three at Gravel Hill, Shirrell Heath, and four at Firgrove Lane, North Boarhunt.

The document’s publication in July last year was followed by an eight-week consultation that received 99 responses.

Winchester’s Local Plan Part 2 states that 15 gypsy and traveller pitches and 24 travelling showperson plots are needed for 2016-2031.

The draft plan says Winchester has met the requirement for gypsy and traveller pitches, with 13 to be delivered through the Traveller DPD.

But it states there is still a “significant shortfall” of eight plots for travelling showpeople, despite proposals for three plots at Carousel Park in Micheldever, four at The Nurseries in Shedfield and six split between The Orchard in Swanmore and The Nurseries.

Carousel Park is currently the focus on a planning battle as the city council seeks to ensure the site is maintained for travelling showperson use.

Councillor Therese Evans said: "I would query the distribution. I find it amazing that the South Downs National Park, which is a very wide area, say that they can't take any on but we should, and I am pleased to hear from Cllr Brook that this is not being accepted.

"I am very torn about this DPD because I do want this DPD to be agreed. However I really can't support the three in Wickham."

Councillor Roger Bentote, speaking about The Nurseries, said: "They do need adequate space when they are manoeuvring their vehicles, there is not really any room to expand on the number of sites there, certainly none of them should be split."

Among the other issues discussed was enforcement.

Councillor Jackie Porter said some pitches are frequently subdivided and that residents see this as, "a failure of the planning system."

"I want us to understand as a council the impact on rural communities and those within them if we don't enforce properly," she said.

Councillor Eileen Berry added: "Your enforcement has to be strong. They do not like softy nimbies."