Green belt land may have to be sacrificed to accommodate gypsy and traveller pitches.

Councillors have accused the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) of moving the goalposts after it submitted its recommendations to provide sites for the travelling community.

Despite objections from Hertsmere Borough Council, EERA told the Government that, as well as 18 more pitches for Hertsmere by 2011, the borough should have a further 18 pitches by 2021.

Council leader Morris Bright said: “We will continue to challenge them, not least because there will be no way to accommodate these permanent pitches without going onto Green Belt land. It does seem as if the goalposts continue to be moved.

“We accept we all must play our part in developing plans for future accommodation needs, for the settled and for the travelling communities, but what is being asked does not seem to be proportionate, or fair, for a relatively small borough like Hertsmere.”

Last October council representatives voiced concerns about the extra provision needed up to 2021, but agreed an additional 18 pitches could be accommodated by 2011.

But in its report submitted to Hazel Blears, the Secretary of the State for Communities and Local Government, EERA en-dorsed the proposal as well as suggesting an additional transit site, which “might be in the Watford area”, and 184 plots for travelling shows.

Mr Bright added: “Hertsmere has led the way in consulting with the public and listened to the public’s concern.

“We took those comments on board and have been fighting against additional unjustified development.”

The plan is due to be approved in the summer following a 12-week public consultation.