A NORTH Yorkshire MP has hosted a debate on traveller sites after local issues were raised.

Kevin Hollinrake, Member of Parliament for Thirsk and Malton, this week hosted a debate in Parliament on planning policy and enforcement in relation to traveller camps.

Speaking in the debate on Wednesday Kevin took the opportunity to highlight to the Government the particular concerns around sites in Sheriff Hutton and Rillington.

He said: "Where some applications are being made, our local communities do not understand why planning policy is not being overseen equally, and there is a deal of anger about that. That is the case with a number of applications, including one at Sheriff Hutton, one near Rillington and a number of potential others.’

Responding to Kevin's debate for the Government Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning committed to ‘further engagement on this issue’.

Commenting after leaving the debate Kevin said: “I was pleased to be able to bring this important debate to Parliament and raise some of the issues arising from traveller sites in my constituency. I hope the Government will continue to engage with North Yorkshire Council and myself and that we will see some helpful changes in this area soon.”