Council bosses in Angus and Dundee say they have no firm plans to increase Traveller provision in their areas.
It comes after a top Angus official said the authority would have to consider the way it handles enforcement in the wake of a planning appeal decision to allow a family to stay together near Kirriemuir on a site originally developed without permission.
Illegal Traveller encampments have proved a controversial and costly issue for councils in recent years but Angus and Dundee only have one dedicated site apiece – St Christopher’s at Montrose and Balmuir Wood, near Tealing.
Angus Council’s development management review committee unanimously overturned a previous decision over the land near Logie following the family plea.
Planning boss Kate Cowey has now sounded a note of caution about the options for enforcement action in relation to a site at Kinnaber, near Montrose, which has been at the centre of controversy for around a decade and a half.
“Investigations are ongoing in terms of ownership and the approach being taken will need to be examined in light of the DMRC decision in relation to Logie,” she said.
Earlier this summer an Angus farmer said he had been forced to make his property like “Fort Knox” after Travellers moved onto his land from a Brechin public park.
Montrose SNP councillor Bill Duff told an Angus communities committee: “I’m conscious the one site we have in Montrose is always full and it does seem to be an issue that we have unauthorised encampments but no capacity.”
Housing service leader John Morrow said there were no plans to extend St Christopher’s, adding: “In terms of wider need, to some extent there’s a lack of information. By its very nature it’s a moveable need so what we are arguing for more is a national survey to see where Angus fits.
“That may show there is an increased demand and if it does we would look at developing increased capacity in a co-ordinated way with our neighbouring authorities.”
Dundee City Council confirmed it was continuing to operate the Tealing site but did not give any indication of proposals to expand provision.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There is a long tradition of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland and it is important the community feels safe and respected and know they are valued members of Scotland’s diverse cultural heritage.
“A joint Scottish Government and COSLA £3 million action plan to tackle the discrimination and challenges faced by the Gypsy/Traveller community was published last month.
“Under the plan, we are making £2 million of the funding available to local authorities to improve Gypsy/Traveller accommodation and sites.
“We will continue to work with Gypsy/Traveller communities so we have a better understanding of their accommodation needs and preferences.”
