Local people have objected to proposals for ten temporary pitches, which would cost £844,000 and be located on land at the eastern end of the Fakenham bypass.

But North Norfolk councillors are being recommended to submit a planning application for the site by mid May.

In a report before the council's cabinet today, community director Steve Blatch admits there was strong opposition in the town with some people believing the outcome of a parish poll opposing the site had been ignored.

But he said the consultation process did not throw up any new issues, and although the site was not supported by "large elements of the local community close to the facility", the transit site is important to help reduce tensions between the settled and travelling communities caused by unauthorised encampments.

Grant funding from the Government will cover the cost of building the camp, while running costs would be modest, helped by the reduced cost of managing unauthorised camps, says the report. The site, which will provide temporary accommodation for families staying for periods between one and three weeks, could be up and running by October or November.

Councillors are also being recommended to submit an application for another site at Holt Road, Cromer, which will cost around £545,000.

The figure is higher for the Fakenham site because of the extra roadworks needed to build an entrance.

A total of £6.9 million has been allocated for gipsy and traveller sites in the east of England as part of the latest round of Government grants.

This will cover the cost of creating four new sites and extending two others, while allowing refurbishment work to be carried out at 12 sites.