A PLANNED increase in the number of gipsy pitches in the St Albans district has been reduced. Following the Examination in Public into the Review of Gipsy and Traveller Accommodation in the East of England, the number has been reduced from 33 pitches to 2

A PLANNED increase in the number of gipsy pitches in the St Albans district has been reduced.

Following the Examination in Public into the Review of Gipsy and Traveller Accommodation in the East of England, the number has been reduced from 33 pitches to 28.

But it still leaves the St Albans district expected to find far more gipsy pitches than the rest of Herts.

The report, issued today, also concluded that there had been an over-estimate of the need for increased pitches in the South and West Herts area, of which St Albans is a part.

St Albans MP, Anne Main, welcomed the news that the increased number of pitches would not be so large but described it as, "only a small reduction."

She went on: "I still maintain there is no proven need for extra pitches in our area. I note that even the panel in this examination conceded that the need for sites in our area had been over-estimated.

"I still firmly maintain that this exercise is driven by the Government's drive to deliver more gipsy and traveller sites and I do not feel there is any firm factual or evidential reasons for the proposed expansion. These figures are just plucked out of the air."

The report will now be considered by the Government who will be publishing proposed changes for public consultation next spring.