By Sophie Gallagher

Brighton and Hove City Council has submitted plans, nine months late, for a £1.7 million extension to the traveller site in Horsdean.

This would enable travellers with local links to stay permanently on 16 new pitches.

We asked residents of Fiveways and Preston Park what they thought about the idea.

Colin Newbery, 38, a pub landlord said: “I don’t think it is a bad thing, as long as the site is controlled, kept clean and looked after. Travellers have all been tarred with the same brush.”

Dana Gibson, 33, a retailer said: “This is a beautiful area of Brighton and I don’t have a problem with them as long as they don’t affect the parkland around them.”

Richard Holloway, 36, a shop manager said: “It’s a better idea than having them in the park. They are always going to pitch up somewhere so we have to put them somewhere. It’s not ideal but where would be ideal?”

Julia Raymond, 23, a student told us: “They don’t affect my life at all, in any way. As long as they are tidy and respect the area they are given, surely everyone has a right to a home.”