A STUDY looking at how unauthorised traveller and gypsy encampments are dealt with is seeking the public’s views.

This spring, Basingstoke and Deane borough councillors began an in-depth look at the issue after the number of camps jumped 61 per cent in 2009 from the year before.

Therese Lawlor, the council’s head of strategy and innovation, said: “During 2009, there was a significant increase in the number of unauthorised encampments in the borough.

“Some of these had limited impact on local residents, but the regular use of council-owned public open space areas, especially over the summer, led to a substantial number of complaints from the public and costs for cleaning up the sites.

“As part of the review, the council is keen to hear about the impact on local residents living near the unauthorised encampments.”

The community wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee will consider the feedback at its meeting at 6.30pm on June 30, which is open to the public.

You can fill in the survey at basingstoke.gov.uk/go/yoursay before 5pm on Friday, June 18, 2010. To request a paper copy, call 01256 844844.