Boris the blade

But after experiencing a backlash from leaders of the capitals 32 boroughs,   Boris Johnson has now decided to half the figure instead. In what he described as a “minor alteration” to the plans, he has caved into pressure for the councillors.

The Mayor said: “In light of the feedback we received, it was apparent that the targets we had proposed could not be justified, nor achieved.  I want to make real progress in improving  on the capital’s poor record in increasing the provision of sites for  the Gypsy and Traveller communities, but there is no point setting  targets that will clearly not be delivered.

“This is a complicated issue, with many factors to be taken into account, and I am confident that what I have put forward now strikes  the right balance between deliverability and addressing need, and sets an ambitious agenda for all involved.”

When the Mayor took office in 2008 the government's requirement for Gypsy  and Traveller targets in London had not previously been addressed and  provision had fallen since 2000.

Councillor Merrick Cockell, Chairman of the London Councils  Conservative Group, said: “The Mayor’s announcement today of a  revised number of Gypsy and Traveller pitches is welcome as it   clearly shows that Boris is listening to the boroughs.  These more  realistic targets, proposed as part of Boris’ minor amendments to the  draft London Plan, show the Mayor is responding to the boroughs’  legitimate concerns on this very sensitive issue.”

The Gypsy and Traveller community is outraged at the dramatic u-turn. Jill Brown, a spokesperson for the London Gypsy Travel Unit, said that the London Plan would not provide enough sites for Gypsies and Travellers.