FIVE proposed gypsy sites in West Dorset have been dropped after the landowners came forward to say their land is not available.

Only seven of the shortlisted sites will be put forward in talks to find suitable locations.

It comes after a furious West Dorset farmer says his land was earmarked as a gypsy site without his knowledge.

Rowlie Moores, of Lilac Farm, near Walditch, claims it is the second time that he has found out in the press that his land has been suggested for development without his knowledge.

He said: “I have phone calls already from people who think I am doing this because I can’t have my barn. They think I am doing it out of spite.”

Leader of West Dorset District Council, Robert Gould said: “Some landowners have come forward to make clear that they do not want their land to be included in the consultation and these sites have been withdrawn from the consultation documents.

“The county-wide consultation is due to start on November 18 and will last for 12 weeks.

“During this process, further information about the suitability of the remaining sites will be gathered from local people and other stakeholders, and it is possible more sites may come forward for consideration.”

The five sites dropped in West Dorset

• Sydling St Nicholas - land north of Orchard Close • Lilac Farm, Dorchester Road, Bridport • Chipping Store Rampisham • Chalky Road, Broadmayne • Garden plot, Stinsford

Rejected sites in Weymouth and Portland

• Independent Quarries land, Portland • Car park at Perryfields, Portland • Portland waste storage yard, Portland • Land south of 27 Sweet Hill Road, Southwell • Wych Elm, Nottington • Land adjacent to Wych Elm, Nottington • Land west of the shack, Nottington • Land at the rear of Miles Gardens, Upwey • Upwey House, Upwey • East Hill Farm, Upwey • Royal Yard Contract car park, Weymouth • Land adjacent to Radipole lane, Weymouth • 1 Chesterfield Place, Weymouth • Hurdlemead, Weymouth • Ridgeway – Weymouth Relief Road land • Littlemoor – Weymouth Relief Road land • Manor – Weymouth Relief Road land • Land east of Dorset Police Station

Q and A

• Why is this process happening?

• The government wants to significantly increase the number of traveller sites with planning permission and to address the shortage of such sites. It’s a requirement of the 2004 Housing Act.

• Who is involved?

• All six borough and districts in Dorset along with Bournemouth and Poole are looking for sites in their own areas and will be consulting their residents.

• How many pitches (one pitch per gypsy/ traveller household) are required for each area?

• There are no specific targets for each area but recent estimates of gypsy and traveller need in Dorset are: Bournemouth 48-51, Christchurch 48-51, East Dorset 88-92, North Dorset 165-168, Poole 48-50, Purbeck 79-83, West Dorset 80-84, Weymouth and Portland 29-30.

• What’s the legal advantage of having sites?

• Having an authorised transit site available in each borough would mean the police could use powers to evict illegal encampments more quickly. Illegal traveller sites have been a headache for most local authorities.

• Why hasn’t the government legislated?

• It’s not clear. Ministers say they are still consulting but probably have bigger fish to fry with the economy. Nevertheless it’s unusual for a government to break a pre-election pledge.

• What’s the problem about councillors saying too much now, ahead of the public consultation?

• Council leaders are anxious not to be seen to predetermine the issue before they have consulted their residents. This could cause legal problems further down line. And local planning policy could be ruled ‘unsound’.