COLCHESTER Council bosses should open “pay and stay” travellers sites in a bid to stop illegal encampments, experts say.

In documents set to go before Colchester councillors next week, the Gazette can reveal the move, which local plan bosses hope could stop numerous sites being taken over by travellers over the summer months.

Consultants Opinion Research Services say the “short-term toleration or negotiated” sites are a “more practical” tool for dealing with unauthorised encampments as opposed to more costly built or permanent, sites.

If the plans do come forward, Essex County Council - which has responsibility for travellers - would be tasked with identifying the site and providing cold water, toilets, a sewerage disposal and refuse disposal point.

Martin Goss, chairman of the Colchester local plan committee, said: “People rightly have an issue with the illegal encampments which they do perceive as a problem.

“The sort of sites we are talking about are proven to greatly reduce the likes of the illegal encampments.

“We know there is an issue, not just in Colchester but in north east Essex and there is definitely a need. The question will be where to put it and that’s something I don’t think anyone knows just yet.”

As part of the plans, travellers would have to pre-pay for a pitch for a period of time.

The document also states there could be a need for two additional traveller pitches in Colchester by 2033.

But because it is difficult to know what percentage of the population is made up of travellers and because their travel habits vary, the experts say the need could actually be as little as zero or as high as 13 pitches.

The move comes as police were yesterday called to move a group of travellers off land near Dovercourt beach huts having arrived on the site on Tuesday.

A council spokesman said: “We have now secured that site and it is now just a game of cat and mouse to see where they go next.”