A LEADING city Conservative has attacked Labour councillors for declaring "war" on plans to build a Gypsy camp.

As reported in The Herald on Tuesday, Andy Kerswell, Labour councillor for Efford and Lipson, vowed to fight after the council voted on Monday to go ahead with consultation over designs for a Gypsy and Traveller site off Military Road, Efford.

"It's war," Mr Kerswell told The Herald.

But a leading Conservative has now hit back at Labour's tough stance, questioning why Labour leader Tudor Evans was not at the emergency Gyspy meeting on Monday.

Cabinet member Dr David Salter said: "After Cllr Kerswell's outburst on the front page of The Herald, I'd ask: What sort of 'war' is it when the general doesn't even turn up for the fight?

"Answer: one where Tudor Evans realises he is fighting his own Government."

The Government has ordered councils to provide permanent sites.

Mr Evans said later that he was out of the county, working for the Improvement and Development Agency.

"I couldn't change my plans because the meeting was called at such short notice," Mr Evans said.

Mr Kerswell threatened to take the fight to the courts after Labour councillors walked out of an emergency council meeting, claiming it had been called in violation of the council's own rules.

They later pledged their support in the battle to stop the council building Gypsy and Traveller camps at any of the three sites identified by the council.

Dr Salter said the Labour group was ignoring the independent legal advice of the city council's chief legal officer, David Shepperd, who ruled that the meeting was legal.

Meanwhile, the council has published a new timetable for people to have their say on plans for Gypsy Traveller sites. It has been drawn up after this week's controversial debate.

The council is revising the dates for public consultation on Efford.

Consultation on using land at Coombe Farm, Mowhay Road, St Budeaux, and at the Imerys works at Coypool will now take place from March 31 to May 12.

The original consultation period was due to start on February 23 but was delayed when the decision to consult the public, made by Plymouth City Council's Cabinet, was challenged by Labour councillors.

Members of the council's Overview and Scrutiny Commission voted earlier this month to allow the consultation to go ahead.

Cllr Peter Brookshaw, the Cabinet member for Safer and Stronger Communities, Housing and Supporting People and Community Cohesion, said: "This is a chance for everyone to have their say. We welcome all comments as long as they're not racist or abusive and we'd like to hear from anyone with ideas for suitable sites which we may not have considered so far."

The consultation will include displays, officers on hand to answer questions and feedback forms.

Coypool site consultation:

Thursday April 2, 9am to 1pm: Coypool Park and Ride.

Thursday April 2, 1.30pm to 6pm: Sainsbury's car park, Marsh Mills.

Monday April 20, 5pm to 8pm: Novotel, Marsh Mills.

St Budeaux site consultation:

Friday April 24, 10am to 4pm: Kitto Centre, Honicknowle Lane.

Tuesday April 28, 5pm to 8pm: Tamarside School.

There will be displays with comment forms at St Budeaux Library and at the temporary library in the former Jobcentre at the Ridgeway in Plympton throughout the six-week consultation.

Maps and information are available on the council's website: www.plymouth.gov.uk/gypsyandtravellerssitesldf.htm

Rubbish found at the site of an illegal traveller camp at Bickleigh Down after the occupants had moved on