Five new gypsy-traveller sites will be found in an effort to help curb the impact of unauthorised encampments in Aberdeenshire.
The local authority is pushing forward with plans to create the new facilities after figures revealed that almost 200 groups have been set up camp within its five districts since 2009.
Formartine and Mearns are the areas which have attracted the largest number.
Gypsy-travellers are often criticised by local people for leaving waste and property damage in their wake.
Last night, Mearns councillor George Carr, who sits on the local authority’s travellers sub-committee, said that the aim was to find a way for the settled and travelling communities to live together in “harmony”.
He said: “It will be treated exactly the same as any planning application.
“There will be no difference, we’ll be looking at all aspects of the application as it’s detailed and councillors will be putting forward their own views.
“There’s always been ongoing issues with travellers, but there are codes of conduct that the travellers have drawn up between themselves and the council which everyone is supposed to adhere to.
“It’s a case of trying to make sure everyone is respecting everyone else’s right to live in harmony.”
The new sites – which are still to be identified – would have access to clean water and toilet facilities for the travellers and will allow them to stay for up to 28-days.
But the facilities could cost up to £100,000 each.
Ritchie Johnson, the council’s chief of communities, said it was clear that the authority needed to improve its provision for the travelling community.
“Provision across Aberdeenshire would help to meet the increasing demand for sites within the local authority area,” he added.
“Areas of land identified can and will differ in size to help meet the varying size of travelling groups.”
Currently, travellers are in the process of being evicted from public spaces including car parks and play areas in Buchan.
A group in Peterhead’s Lido car park, overlooking the coastal town’s marina and harbour, were unwilling to comment when approached.
The plans will be discussed by area committees before going to full council for approval.