The council is under pressure to build more permanent gypsy sites in the area – and they could be coming to land near you.

Since 2009, site clean-ups and legal bills to remove travellers from unauthorised camps have cost Cheshire East taxpayers more than £50,000.

Now the council is on a hunt for land to build permanent sites, a legal requirement of the Housing Act 2004.

Cheshire East planning bosses say these help to curb unauthorised sites – where travellers buy land, build illegally and then get retrospective planning permission.

They also argue such plots reduce tensions with residents and force settlers to pay council tax and bills.

Government rules mean  27-42 permanent pitches must be built before the end of this year – and the council is currently 17 short of its target. Between 2011 and 2016  a further 19-22 pitches must be built, in addition to 10 new plots for travelling show people and ten temporary transit sites.

The council concedes it has already chosen six sites – but has refused to reveal their location. There are no existing sites in Wilmslow and Macclesfield and there are calls for more even distribution.

Coun Gary Barton, for Wilmslow West and Chorley, said: “There will be concern from residents over this.

“We do need to tackle the problem but at the same time permanent residents’ needs have to come first, their needs should take precedence. Permanent sites will be better than them using our fields illegally, I suppose but it’s a worry.”

He said the area has had problems with travellers at Jim Ebison Playing Fields off the A538.

Coun Barry Burkhill for Handforth added: “I am pretty sure the residents I represent will not want sites here.

“We’ve had problems in the past where they have made a hell of a mess and all the money to clean it up has cost the taxpayer.

“There could be lots of ramifications, and surely travellers should lead a nomadic life and don't need permanent sites?

“I know that legally we need these sites – and if they are as tidy as our residents and are not placed on the green belt then maybe they could be acceptable but I’ll wait and see.”

Currently travellers often choose to stay on the traditional routes through Cheshire East, mostly to the west of the borough.

A council spokesman said: “A base site allows them to access local healthcare and schools.

“If the council doesn’t have enough permanent sites, then the chance of unauthorised developments gaining retrospective planning permission is increased.

“This course of action would leave the authority, and residents, powerless to act.”

Coun Rachel Bailey, cabinet member  for safer and stronger communities, said: “We appreciate traveller sites can be controversial but we feel that by tackling the issue in a positive way we can achieve a satisfactory outcome for both gypsies and travellers and residents in Cheshire East. It is a balance of rights and responsibilities for all involved.

“We are confident that this proactive approach to development will avoid ad hoc sites and the problems associated with them.”

At an April planning meeting for a gypsy encampment, councillors from Congleton called for an even distribution of travellers – with more in Prestbury, Alderley Edge and Wilmslow.