NEWPORT council is investigating building a permanent gipsy site as part of a rethink on its approach to travellers.

The move comes after a summer of problems with gipsies illegally camping on the outskirts of Newport.

Councillor Glyn Jarvis, cabinet member for public affairs, said: "With the issues we've had in Marshfield, Spytty and other areas it's got to be looked at.

"A permanent site is just one of many options. But it would help the police in moving travellers off illegal sites if there were a legal alternative."

In July a group of gipsies settled on the Tredegar House site, just weeks before the start of the Eisteddfod.

They then moved to land near Church Lane in Coedkernew before threatening to occupy a city car park if the council did not offer them support. When they left Coedkernew in late August residents found piles of rubbish.

A team of councillors on the public affairs scrutiny forum will discuss a report outlining the problems and possible solutions. Their findings could form the basis of a new policy towards travellers.

Councillor David Hando said: "I will urge the council to consider an official site. It's the only solution.

"Otherwise there will always be this problem of moving travellers from one illegal site to another. Nobody wants an illegal site near them."

The former Gwent authority was obliged to provide permanent sites, which it did at Pontypool and Ebbw Vale. The law then changed and Newport council was not forced to offer facilities.

Councillor Hando added: "Newport shouldn't rely on other authorities to provide sites. If travellers are prepared to pay they should get the choice of access to running water and waste disposal."

But Councillor Bill Pursey, of Marshfield ward, said: "Any permanent site won't work. It will only encourage more to come to Newport and it will never be big enough.

"I was a councillor with Cardiff council when permanent sites were put up. The problems we have had here have been overspill from Cardiff sites.

"I cannot think of any suitable sites in Newport where residents would welcome this. In Cardiff it only worked because they were put on an obsolete industrial site."

A spokeswoman for Newport council said: "All options are currently at their research stage."