SPACE for gypsies and travellers in Blackburn and Darwen will have to double in the next seven years, a Government quango has ordered.

New regional guidelines have called for an increase in the number of pitches in the borough from 48 to 93.

The report by North West planning body 4NW also calls for a 10-fold increase in pitches in Hyndburn.

4NW is also calling for an increase from nought to 15 in Burnley and Pendle, from four to 10 in Ribble Valley, and nought to 10 in Rossendale.

Blackburn wtih Darwen council leaders have objected, claiming areas that have failed to provide accommodation for travelling communities in the past should be made to catch up.

Each pitch provides space for one family caravan or similar vehicle.

4NW’s demand comes as part of a strategy to provide 825 more pitches in the North West, meaning increases in boroughs across East Lancashire.

The draft North West Plan states that travelling is an important part of gypsy identity, adding: “More gypsies and travellers might travel if it were possible to find places to stop without the threat of constant eviction.”

Blackburn with Darwen’s current provision is focused on a site in Ewood.

Land off Lower Eccleshill Road, in Darwen, has also been the subject of a long-running dispute since temporary permission for a travellers’ site was granted in 2004.

Lib Dem Coun Salim Lorgat, executive member for housing, called for a “level playing field”.

He said: “The traveller community in Blackburn with Darwen is long established and there is demand from natural growth of families.

“The council will take a sensible and reasonable approach to making future pitch provision.”