HAMPSHIRE could have to find spots for more than 300 gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople to live by 2016.

The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) is asking people where these spaces should be found and on Monday, November 3, a two-day consultation will be held in Fleet for north Hampshire residents and members of the travelling community.

SEERA suggests 1,064 gypsy and traveller sites and 276 showpeople sites are needed in south east England by 2016 and has drawn up four potential options for distributing them.

Under the options being considered, Hampshire could be asked to take anywhere between 100 and 205 traveller sites and between 107 and 129 showpeople spots.

Between three and 25 of the traveller sites and between two and 21 of the showpeople spots could be in Basingstoke and Deane borough, while Hart district could have to find space for between 12 and 16 of the former sites and one and nine of the latter.

Councillor Moira Gibson, chairman of SEERA's planning committee, said: "After years of uncertainty over making spaces for the gypsy and travelling communities, councils now have a duty to provide spaces in a bid to cut homelessness and reduce unauthorised encampments.

"We want to hear everyone's opinions on the new plans."

SEERA will determine how many spaces are needed following the consultation, while local authorities will decide where any new sites should be located through their upcoming local development frameworks.

The joint Hart, Rushmoor and Basingstoke and Deane consultation event at The Harlington Centre, Fleet Road, Fleet, runs from 10am to 5.30pm on Monday, November 3, and from 1pm to 7pm on Tuesday, November 4.

Further details on the SEERA consultation, which runs until November 21, 2008, are available at www.southeast-ra.gov.uk