COUNCILS in Essex will have the right to force travellers to live up to their name in order to stay on designated sites.

The new Government ruling should make it easier for local communities to have a say in where sites should be, and for local councils to take action against unauthorised occupation of land.

The Government report said: “Our view is where travellers have ceased to travel then they should be treated no differently to members of the settled community.

“Furthermore, the Government continues to hear about the problems caused by a minority of travellers who ignore planning rules and occupy sites without applying for planning permission.

“This undermines confidence and trust in the planning system and prevents it from acting effectively.

“The proposals would further assist those councils in dealing with unauthorised occupation of land.”

It is not yet clear how often or how far travellers will be forced to move to comply with the rules.

The ruling comes four years after the closure of the Dale Farm traveller site near Basildon.

Councils have an obligation to provide suitable sites for “settled encampments”, such as Dale Farm, under the Housing Act 2004.

The Government says these will no longer be provided unless applicants can prove they “travel permanently”.

If they cannot provide evidence, they will face the same considerations as those making a planning application for a home.