NEW gypsy and traveller pitches in Epping Forest have overwhelmingly been allocated to the same small corner of the district, the Guardian can reveal.

Figures released to the Guardian by Epping Forest District Council show that, since 2006, the total number of pitches in the district has increased from 160 to 183.

The increase in pitch provision has overwhelmingly been concentrated in Nazeing which went from 49 pitches in 2006 to 77 pitches just three years later- many of them with “temporary” planning permission.

It has now overtaken its neighbour Roydon which has increased its pitch provision from 74 to 76.

The two villages together contain around 84 per cent of the entire district's gypsy and traveller population.

David Jarvis, 52, of Allmains Close, Nazeing , who has led his village's campaign against increased pitches said: “We produced a map for the last public enquiry showing with red dots where there were gypsy and traveller pitches. The area around Nazeing was just one red square.

“All the areas should be equally spread. I think they're trying to apply more around Nazeing but it'd be good if the council tried to get them spread out around the district rather than concentrated in one space.”

Eddie Culling, 71, of the Mead, Nazeing, said: “I think what Epping Forest's done is, to reduce the numbers, they've got gypsies living here for years and brought them in to the number.

“Obviously most people would say we've got enough and more than our fair share, but what do you do? People have got to have somewhere to live.”

The district council recently wrote a letter to the Government asking for it to be relieved of its obligations to formally consult over gypsies and travellers, citing evidence that it had already found pitches for a significant amount of gypsies and travellers.

But that move has drawn concern from some in the rural communities that they will now take the brunt of new gypsy pitches.

Speaking at the district's last full council meeting discussing the report to Government Cllr Maggie McEwen said: “People in the rural areas reading this report could be forgiven for thinking that the pressure from residents in the built-up areas has been successful and we are now in favour of having sites in rural areas instead of Green Belt sites.

“It's obvious that there are more people in the suburbs to provide that pressure than there are in the rural areas.”

Council leader Di Collins said: “We have made considerable progress mostly with the help, I have to say, of Roydon and Nazeing residents to reduce the unauthorised sites.

“This has been a long and tortuous process for many of us, but it does feel like we are making some progress, hopefully.”