Plans to establish seven travellers sites on the people of Hinckley and Bosworth are being considered by the borough council.

The plans have sparked outrage after it was revealed that two large sites may be built on land near Groby and Earl Shilton.

A further five smaller sites have been earmarked for Stoke Golding, Newbold Verdon, the A5 in Hinckley, Desford and Stanton under Bardon.

The largest site would be based on Thurlaston Lane, Earl Shilton, and would have room for 12 pitches for permanent residents. The site on Hinckley, which would be located just off the A5, would contain 2 pitches.

Each pitch can provide space for five caravans.

Earlier this year, government officials asked councils to find new camps for travellers in their area by 2011, with Hinckley and Bosworth Boroug Council ordered to find room for 55 pitches - room for 275 caravans.

The proposals will be subject to a public consultation in January next year, but the plans have sparked a furious reaction from residents and councillors, who slammed them "disturbing".

Peter Batty, borough councillor for Groby, said: "As far as I'm concerned, democracy is being flushed down the drain here.

"When we've already got schools full and waiting lists to the doctors and dentists surgeries, this is going to put even more strain on local facilities.

"It's going to have a very negative impact on a rural village when these facilities are already overwhelmed. Politicians have lost track of what they are for and who has put them there.

"They are elected to look after the people, and its about time they started listening to these people.These plans are not well-considered, and I dont think they are in accordance with government guidelines.

"How are we meant to cope?

Earl Shilton councillor Denis Bown said the people of the borough would be "up in arms" over the decision.

He said: "The fact that they are proposing this site in the borough is disturbing and I'm very concerned.

"Sites like this should be spread around, but they're dumping everything in Earl Shilton and Barwell - how is that fair? Weve had enough developments here.

"People are going to be up in arms over this.

"I think people will go berserk when they hear about this.

"There will be public meetings and there will be a consultation, but I am definitely opposed to this.

Chief executive of the borough council Steve Atkinson has moved to reassure the public that the plans are not definite and will still be subject to a public consultation.

He said: "The matter is still being considered by members, so the release of information at this stage is premature.
"Once its been given proper consideration, a set of proposals will be prepared for public consultation in January."Sites being considered include:

- A 10 pitch site in Groby, off Sacheverell Way
- A 12-pitch site off Thurlaston Lane, Earl Shilton
- Two pitches to the west of the A5 in Hinckley
- Four pitches in Stoke Golding, to the east of Wykin Lane
- Four pitches on council-owned land in Stanton Under Bardon
- Four pitches in Newbold Verdon
- Four pitches in Desford