THE first round of consultation over gypsy and traveller sites in Dorset will end on Friday.

The consultations come after the county was told it had to find space for 585 to 609 residential and transit sites – with 80 to 84 required in West Dorset and 29 to 30 in Weymouth and Portland by 2013.

All the Weymouth sites are estimated to be for transit use whereas West Dorset is split between residential and transit sites.

There were originally three sites shortlisted for Weymouth and Portland but only two have gone forward to the public consultation.

The sites are the land adjacent to the household recycling centre in Lodmoor and the park and ride site near to the Mount Pleasant Business park.

There were originally 12 sites proposed for West Dorset but only four have gone forward to the public consultation.

To respond to the consultation, or to find more information on proposed sites, visit dorsetforyou.com/gypsyandtravellersites