COUNCIL leaders in East Lancashire have voiced their opposition to proposals for dozens of new pitches for gipsies and travellers in their boroughs.

Town hall bosses in Pendle are voicing ‘strong objections’ to plans in a consultation document which would see the borough have to provide 20 pitches for gipsies and travellers.

And there is likely to be opposition in neighbouring Burnley, which has been earmarked for up to 15 spots.

A national gipsy leader has condemned their opposition.

But leading figures said there was no demand for spaces in the neighbouring authority areas.

Under the new Housing Act, all six of East Lancashire’s councils must provide a minimum num-ber of pitches for gipsies and travellers.

In Lancashire the majority of these are currently in Blackpool and Lancaster but the new North West study is seeking to strike a geographic balance.

While the number of pitches in Blackpool, currently standing at 51, would not be increased under the study, the likes of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, where there are none, are expected to provide 15, 20 and 10 respectively.

Blackburn-with-Darwen has seen its expected provision drop from 60 to 45, Hyndburn must find another 10, the same as Ribble Valley, where there are currently four pitches.

Pendle council planning manager Neil Watson says in an executive report: “It is clear from (this study) and all prevailing evidence that Pendle is not a location of choice for the gipsy travelling community, ei-ther now or in the future.

“While Pendle should provide sites, they should be on an appropriate scale according to identified needs and aspirations.”

Coun Gordon Birtwistle, Burnley council leader, added: “We don’t have any pitches at the moment and if we are being asked to find 15 we may not have the land available.

“There is no demand and we do not have the space so what's the rush?”