Prime Minister Tony Blair has agreed to meet Billericay MP John Baron to discuss illegal development by travellers.

Mr Baron said: "At this meeting I shall make the Prime Minister fully aware of the problems faced by many of my constituents when travellers buy land and then illegally and speedily develop it.

"The planning laws are antiquated and desperately need updating.

"The Government blocked my Private Member's Bill which would have strengthened the planning laws and also reduced confrontation within communities."

He is concerned that even more Romany Gypsies will travel to this country when the European Union expands on May 1.

Published Wednesday January 21, 2004

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