Lewisham Council has begun a public consultation on the borough’s next gypsy and traveller site in Pool Court, before it submits the plans to the government.

The Housing and Planning Act requires local authorities to consider the needs of travellers and provide sites where caravans can be stationed.

The Bellingham site will house six pitches on council-owned land and land which is yet to be bought from Network Rail – and half the site could be completed by 2021.

The site was chosen as the preferred option over the New Cross Social Club and adjoining land in Hornshay Street, and is the cheaper of the two sites.

The two sites were the result of a “robust” selection process, with no other suitable sites in the borough, according to council documents.

But earlier this year councillors were concerned the consultation process – which saw residents choosing one of two sites – could have meant residents would just pick for the site furthest from them.

Pool Court is also a site of importance for nature conservation, has a Japanese knotwood infestation, is known to be used for fly-tipping, and is also prone to flooding.

Lewisham Council assessed the borough’s need for gypsy and traveller accommodation in June 2015, and found six pitches would be needed until 2031.

There have not been any traveller sites in the borough since 2009.

The site could be completed in two phases.

The first phase would begin on 0.15ha of the council-owned land.

The second phase would follow, on 0.16ha of land owned by Netword Rail, which can be accessed from Fordmill Road and Pool Court.

The Pool Court site has the potential to be developed into 22 “brick and mortar” homes, while the New Cross site has the potential to be developed into 45 homes.

The consultation period will end on October 22.