NEW plans to deal with rogue traveller and gypsy encampments on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council land are in the spotlight - and members of the public are being urged to have their say.

The proposals could mean unauthorised encampments are allowed to stay put if they have pregnant women or school-age children present.

However, they could also result in eviction if complaints from the public are received.

The plans are in a draft policy that was due to be discussed by the council's community overview committee last night, before the public are asked for their views.

The responses will be discussed by the council's Cabinet on March 29.

Under the new policy, unauthorised encampments will be assessed by a council officer who will deliver a code of conduct leaflet to the travellers.

Besides the presence of pregnant women and school-age children, the encampment may be tolerated if it includes people receiving medical treatment in the area, or people in need of housing assistance.

However, the draft policy also says if the camp is of more than six caravans, is in a densely populated area, or on a sensitive site, "it is unlikely to be able to remain".

Nor are camps likely to be tolerated if the travellers' behaviour gives cause for concern, results in criminal activity or complaints are received from residents.

Cabinet members and senior directors at the council say they hope the new policy will benefit everybody.

Corporate director Karen Brimacombe said: "We have tried to streamline our processes. When someone calls up about an encampment, they will be dealt with by our contact centre, which will know what's going on with every site, whereas before they might have to be passed through several different departments and feel they were going from pillar to post."

Speaking at a special briefing, Councillor David Potter, Cabinet member for communities and regeneration, said: "This approach is much more structured and pro-active than anything we've had before. It's not just about the gut reaction people have when they see travellers move in nearby - it aims to get past that."

The new policy will have to deal with a rising number of unauthorised encampments in the borough. Since April 2004, there have been 50 recorded cases compared with 19 in the previous 12 months.

The draft policy acknowledges that many of the families forming illegal encampments have permanent homes elsewhere.

Nonetheless, the search is on for new sites suitable for traveller and gypsy camps in addition to the five already in Hampshire, which include one near Hartley Wintney.

Mrs Brimacombe said: "We would very much like members of the public to look at the policy and give us their comments."

You can log on to www.basingstoke.gov.uk to view the plans.

Do you have a view on this issue? Write to The Letters Editor, Gazette Newspapers, Gazette House, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD or e-mail editor@basingstokegazette.co.uk