STOCKPORT is set to establish at least one gypsy encampment in the borough.

The shock news was delivered by Stockport Council leader Coun Dave Goddard, at last week’s full Council meeting, as he unveiled an iron fist and velvet glove approach to dealing with the increased problems of trespass in the borough by scores of caravans and trailers on council and private land.

Over the last week caravans have parked at various sites including an industrial estate in Hollywood and at the Wickes Car Park, Heaton Norris.

Coun Goddard said the initiative - involving the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) - would see the establishment of gypsy sites across Greater Manchester including "at least one in Stockport", and the first multi-agency approach to the issues of unauthorised encampments in the borough as from next Monday.

"The study is being undertaken by AGMA and is looking at places where travellers are setting up unauthorised encampments across Greater Manchester and the study involves looking at where they go, interviewing them about their accommodation needs and looking at how many traveller sites there need to be. The work is being finalised at the moment and is expected to go to AGMA in June.At present I don’t know what will be proposed for Stockport, but one thing is sure, there will be a recommendation about having at least one travellers’ site within the borough, and whether we like it or not, this is an issue that we at the Council will have to deal with."

The Stockport Express understands that a wide ranging search for suitable sites will start across Greater Manchester and Stockport in August.

Coun Peter Scott, the leader of the Labour group on Stockport Council, said: "There is no doubt that we have a problem. Gypsies tend to want to stay in a place and on the whole they would probably run the site quite well but travellers move around and they are the ones who we are likely to have the most difficulty with because of issues such as fly tipping.

According to Coun Scott under the Government's new Regional Spatial Strategy each local authority will be expected to provide a gypsy site. He adds: "Experience suggests that wherever the new gypsy site is in Stockport it will cause one hell of a problem."

Coun Les Jones, Conservative group leader said: "In Stockport, we must ensure that all opinions are heard and at the end of a rigorous consultation there should be no attempt to bulldoze an unacceptable solution onto residents.

"While we appreciate that travellers and gypsies have their own lifestyle and needs, it is essential that this process doesn’t impact negatively on Stockport’s residents and communities."

Steve Brown, head of Stockport’s community safety unit said any site for gypsies in Stockport would probably be close to the motorway network or a major road.

"If we are going to have this site the quicker they get it the better. This would not be a free site and it would represent a considerable investment by the local authority and include toilet facilities, running water, electricity and hardcore for the vans."

Under next week’s new strategy, police will work with statutory bodies to remove travellers by invoking powers including Anti Social Behaviour Orders, possession orders, Criminal Justic Act, Section 61 and 62 orders and section 14 and 14A of Public Order Act 1986, and even automatic number plate recognition.

Coun Goddard added: "We are determined to show these people that contrary to what has been suggested Stockport is not a soft touch when it comes to trespassing on Council and private land."

Currently there are official sites in Greater Manchester in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Rochdale, Salford and Wigan.

Following last week's story in the Stockport Express, 90 per cent of our readers believe ASBOs would fail to prevent travellers moving onto illegal sites in the borough.