PLANS have been set in motion to make space for 100 new pitches for travellers at Dale Farm, on the very spot that £7.1m was spent on their demolition.
The six-acre site in Crays Hill was cleared just 15 months ago but travellers now want to build a new camp twice the size of the previous one.
They want to reclaim the green belt land and redevelop the 51 demolished pitches, as well as creating 20 temporary pitches along Oak Road, which leads up to the site.
They also plan to upgrade the 40 neighbouring legal pitches.
Stuart Hardwicke-Carruthers, a campaigner for travellers, has contacted Basildon Borough Council to ask whether an Environmental Impact Assessment would be needed before the possible submission of a planning application regarding the land.
Traveller spokesman Grattan Puxon said: "There are 62 travellers without a legal place to reside and the council has to do something to feed that need.
"The council have already agreed to 15 plots on Gardiners Lane, but the travellers need more space."
"The matter is under discussion and we will be holding a meeting today – several planning applications may follow from this."
The council has three weeks from the submission date of Mr Hardwicke-Carruthers' request to provide its opinion.
Councilor Tony Ball, leader of the council, said: "Given the history of this site and the number of legal challenges and decisions that have been made regarding Dale Farm, I find it ridiculous that Mr Hardwicke- Carruthers could even consider submitting a planning application to redevelop the land.
"I, along with many local people, find it an insult that after a decade of persistent law-breaking and significant cost to the taxpayer to uphold the law, that this is even being suggested.
"He has learnt nothing from the Dale Farm issue, and this is clearly a publicity stunt that will just waste valuable council officer time."
