CONTROVERSIAL plans to create a permanent site for travellers and gypsies in Southampton will not stop illegal encampments, a leading travellers' rights campaigner has said.
Basil Burton, chairman of the National Romany Rights Association, claims that the proposed 'transit' site at Monks Brook, Swaythling - due to be discussed by civic leaders today - will not be able to accommodate enough travellers.
Mr Burton said the council and police will also have limited rights to force travellers to leave the city if the site was full.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Mr Burton said: "If the transit site is full and other travellers turn up in Southampton, the council will not be able to move them out of the city."
He added: "The location is adequate, and it's definitely a step in the right direction, but a full needs assessment must be carried out before I could give my support to it."
Council inclusion manager Linda Haitana said that the council's research was based on historical movements of travellers and only between six and ten groups of travellers a year were expected to visit the site.
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