ALMOST £250,000 has been spent so far on the district’s Gypsy and Traveller consultation, to the anger of residents.

Epping Forest District Council has said much of the money will have to be paid for by local tax-payers with the Government refusing to foot the bill despite forcing the scheme on the district.

Chairman of Epping Residents Group Bruce Sargent said: “Does it surprise me? No. Everything always seems to affect the local population. It’s a classic example of central Government. I’m sure it’s not the first time and it won’t be the last.

“I think it’s a bit sad really that we have to pay when that money could be put forward for local projects, but it doesn’t surprise me.”

Terrence Ruddigan, 73, owns Wood Green Poultry Farm, in Ongar Road, Abridge, which the council has said could potentially hold four gypsy pitches.

He said: “You can imagine how I feel. It should be central Government paying- it’s their idea. Every time it is us who are paying.

“My wife is still ill and has been since the start of this. I wake up every morning and look at the piece of land and I think: ‘They are going to give this to someone’. That’s a terrible thing.”

The district council has been told by the Government that it has to identify spaces for 34 new sites for Gypsies and travellers by 2011. It is the largest number being asked of any district in the county apart from Basildon.

Portfolio holder for planning and economic development councillor Anne Grigg said: "The Council did not consider that the requirements placed on us by the Government were fair.

"The Government has offered some financial assistance in the provision of sites for Gypsies and Travellers and we will consider what use can be made of such funding when we consider how to deliver any sites that we consider may have to be brought forward."