Fife Council is not actively looking to create any new seasonal sites to accommodate Gypsy Travellers, it has said.
The authority was criticised last year after it identified an area of land in Glenrothes where it wished to establish a camp site for the community, plans that were dropped following an outcry from local businesses.
Questioned on whether any sites had been identified by the council ahead of the start of this year’s Traveller season, John Mills, head of housing, said the council was “not actively seeking potential sites for temporary Gypsy Traveller sites.”
The issue of Traveller sites is controversial in Fife, particularly in Glenrothes, following years of illegal camps in the summer months.
Establishing seasonal sites was thought to be the council’s response to the ongoing problem, in the hope Travellers would use these and help to address residents’ concerns.
Illegal camps have also resulted in instances of fly-tipping, resulting in considerable costs to the council.
