SENIOR councillors have backed an increase in pitch fees and sewerage service charges for gypsy and traveller sites in Pembrokeshire for the forthcoming financial year.

Pembrokeshire Council manages five Gypsy and Traveller sites with 83 pitches, 77 of which are currently occupied.

A report said: “Rent levels are currently very low in comparison to the cost that is needed to run, maintain and improve the condition of the sites.”

At the February Cabinet meeting, members backed a 3.8 per cent increase in pitch fees to £57.56 for Under the Hills, Castle Quarry and old pitches on Kingsmoor, £87.44 for new pitches on Kingsmoor, and £68.11 for Waterloo.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

They also backed water and sewerage charge increases from £12.78 to £14.24 for Withybush, £16.60 for Kingsmoor and Castle Quarry; a much higher figure was quoted for Waterloo and this is under investigation.