Croydon council will have to double the number of sites for gypsies and travellers under a Government housing plan.

The London Plan, which was drawn up under Ken Livingston and is being considered by Boris Johnson, requires Croydon to provide an extra 22 pitches on top of the 19 already available for travellers at the Latham’s Way site in Broad Green.

The plans are set to benefit people already living in social housing who have a “psychological aversion to bricks and mortar”.

The London Plan says 72 per cent of the need for new pitches was based on gypsies and travellers who already live in fixed accommodation.

London Assembly member Tony Arbour, who criticised the plan, said: “There is no valid rationale for doubling the number of pitches, indeed the number of caravans requiring pitches has fallen by 15 per cent in recent years. We are told that the target is based on relocating those currently in regular housing to pitches because they have a ‘psychological aversion to bricks and mortar’; this is not based on scientific research.”

Politicians opposed to the plan say the figures it is based on are flawed and argued local authorities will be forced to spend millions of pounds to meet the targets.

Under the plans, other boroughs in London will also have to increase the number of sites they have.

However, Dudley Mead, cabinet member for housing, said more pitches are needed in Croydon and estimated it would not cost more than £100,000 for 22 new pitches.

Bexley estimated it would cost them £65,000 per pitch whereas Southwark warned they could be spending £100,000 per pitch.

Coun Mead said: “The way I would go about it is find a suitable piece of the council owns. We have to supply sewage and a water supply. If I had to pick a figure, I would think I could do the whole thing for £100,000.

“Most people turn their noses up at traveller’s sites. The one we have is well run and the people there don’t cause trouble and they look after it.”