DESPITE widespread local opposition a government regional quango is set to force through a massive increase in gypsy sites in Thurrock.

The East of England Regional Assembly will meet in Norwich next Friday to hear a report on consultation on its plans for gypsy and traveller pitch provision across the region.

It wants Thurrock, which currently provides 70 pitches, to increase the number to 114 by 2011.

At public meetings in the borough last year many borough residents spoke up against the increase and leader of Thurrock Council, councillor Terry Hipsey, was vehement in his opposition, saying the borough already had more than its fair share.

However, appeals appear to have fallen on deaf ears, though the number of extra pitches has dropped from 56 to 44.

When news of the assembly's plans first broke, councillor Hipsey said: "Thurrock has more than its fair share of these people to deal with and we have been forced to pay out more than enough money to look after someone else's problem.

"It's just another total cock up by the Labour government. The most concerning aspect for me is the continual escalating involvement from East of England Regional Assembly.

"It's yet another Government quango that forces its directives on local authorities."