HUNDREDS of residents turned up to discuss a planned new permanent traveller site.

It was standing-room only as more than 200 people attended the meeting about a new 16-plot permanent site at Horsdean, Brighton, last night.

Organisers said a further 200 were turned away at the door.

Among those present were Hove MP Mike Weatherley, Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas and Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bill Randall.

Before the meeting there were concerns it would lead to hate crimes against the minority groups.

Communities cabinet member Ben Duncan had concerns about Mr Weatherley’s invitation to “any resident who has concerns about the Green Party’s soft stance on the illegal invasion of our parks by travellers” to attend the Patcham Community Centre, in Ladies Mile Road, Brighton.

Hove MP Mike Weatherley, who organised the meeting despite the planned site not falling into his constituency, said: "We're not racist and we're sick of being called racist for discussing the issue.

"I will do everything possible at a national level to help."

Council leader Bill Randall said: "Our policy [on illegal encampments] is exactly the same as the previous [Tory] administration.

"We will continue to deal with the situation as fairly and firmly as possible."

Coun Randall said the local authority had considered a number of sites across the city and the planned permanent camp at Horsdean was deemed the most appropriate.

He said: "It doesn't matter where we try to put this there will be meetings like this but we must meet our responsibility."

The planned site is in the South Downs National Park and next to an existing transit site.

It would be paid for with £1.7 million of Government money which had previously been allocated for a permanent site at Sheepcote Valley in Whitehawk, Brighton.

The local authority ruled this out after environmental concerns about the land.

Any tenants at a permanent traveller site would be liable to pay rent to the local authority as they would be self-funding.

Ward councillor Geoffrey Theobald said the permanent site would make "no difference" to the number of illegal encampments.

Coun Randall added: "I do not believe that building a permanent site will solve the problem but it will reduce the cost to residents in the long term."

There are two opportunities for residents to comment on the plans.

The first is when then the local authority runs its consultation in the coming weeks. The second when the application is submitted to the South Downs National Park, probably later this year.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I spoke to about a hundred residents before tonight's meeting and a number said they would like to attend but they're in fear of intimidation after this meeting."

Another said: "I have lived next to the Horsdean for the last eight years and the Brighton travellers there's no problem with. They mind their own business, we mind ours.

"But unfortunately since the Greens came to power we have had three separate big traveller encampments on the football pitch.

"I think they think it will be a quick fix to the problem. I would ask them to put them somewhere else not in Patcham where it's out of sight and out of mind."

Issues raised include potential impact to traffic, local schools and the water table.

Inspector Bill Whitehead, of Sussex Police, said it was important any crimes involving travellers were reported.

He said: "Over the last summer every single call that came into us with regards to travellers was dealt with by a team under a Detective Constable.

"A lot of the time there was not sufficient evidence to take the matter further. That is the case with lots of reported crimes.

"But last year approximately ten travellers were taken to court for offences we could prove and we will be doing the same this year.

"I urge anyone who after reporting a crime does not feel it's being dealt with properly to contact me personally."

There were no officers from the council present to discuss the plans.

A council spokesman said: “This is a political meeting. Attending and taking part could place officers in a difficult position in advance of our formal planning public consultation over the proposed new site.”