THE formal consultation over gypsy and traveller pitches could soon be at an end if the district council gets its way.

Epping Forest District Council is set to make a formal request to the Government asking it to be relieved of its consultation obligations over potential sites for traveller pitches.

The move would still mean 34 pitches are needed by 2011, but would enable the council to reach that target through normal planning applications and not specifically identified and consulted on sites.

At its latest cabinet meeting, the council said it had already achieved 20 extra pitches in the district through normal planning applications and Government appeals.

Council leader Di Collins said: “We've done the very best we can. We've complied with everything they've asked us to, and we need a bit of help now to stop this nonsense and to have the directive removed.”

Campaigners in the district have given the move a mixed reaction.

Chairman of Epping Residents Group Bruce Sargent said: “I guess we have to wait for a response to the letter. I'm on the fence to be honest. Obviously no-one liked the Government approach. I completely agree it would be good to save money.”

David Jarvis, 52, of Allmains Close, Nazeing has led his village's campaign against additional pitches.

He said: “If every area had their fair share it'd be appropriate, but we have a vastly disproportionate amount of gypsies. We'll do everything we can to combat this “You just have to fight and take on every single application. They can just keep on applying and there's nothing we can do.”

The cabinet voted by a majority to send a letter to Government minister John Healey outlining their proposal. Cllr Dave Stallan refused to back the move.

He said: “I won't be supporting what's on the agenda tonight. I feel one resident in particular said they felt disenfranchised over this whole agenda. I think members will feel that they've been disenfranchised because from November 2008 to today we haven't been able to state our own opinion about this because we don't want to be fettered when it comes to the final decision.”

Mrs Collins told the Guardian:“The directive is costing us an absolute fortune and it's taking ages. This proposal would mean we could do what we are doing in an ordinary manner.”

The proposal must now be ratified by the full council.