ANGRY council bosses have said Southend has no land to accommodate 15 traveller pitches, which have been demanded under a Government plan.

Whitehall has announced Southend, Rochford and Castle Point will have to take 15 pitches each to meet targets across the region by 2021.

The news was revealed this week as part of the East of England plan.

Anna Waite, Southend councillor responsible for planning, said: “I am not surprised at this decision, but it is not facing up to the facts and flies in the face of all logic.

“There is absolutely nowhere in Southend which can meet the Government requirements for travellers’ sites.

“They say you cannot put them on flood plains, in built up areas or as part of an industrial estate. If anyone can tell me where we have in Southend which would be suitable for the area required, then I would be glad to hear about it.”

Mrs Waite said the leaders of the travelling community had said they did not want any permanent accommodation in Southend, as it was not a place they would go to.

She added: “When the proposals were put forward, there was a possibility the Rochford district would be able to take Southend’s quota of pitches.

“Now, of course, the amount Rochford has to take has been increased to 15 and council leader, Terry Cutmore, has categorically told me they could not take any of Southend’s quota.”

Keith Hudson, councillor responsible for planning at Rochford District Council, said there was room for the pitches in the district.

However he added: “We have adequate and available room, which should create minimum disruption to our residents provided the sites are properly run.

“However, we cannot produce any further sites to cope with any shortfall in Southend.”