Independent panel to consider gypsy and traveller sites in East of England

Posted on October 17, 2008

Responses to a public consultation on authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers in the region will be publicly considered by an independent panel next week.

Residents in the East of England were invited to have their say through a consultation run by the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East), on behalf of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Local authorities are responsible for planning authorised pitches for the gypsy and traveller community as well as the housing needs of the settled population. The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) recommended that each of the region's 48 local authorities should plan for at least 15 additional pitches by 2011 in a draft policy ('Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs). This was published on 25 February for 12 weeks public consultation. The plans for additional Gypsy and Traveller authorised sites are part of a single issue review of the East of England Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy) and follow two years of research and consultation with local authorities, businesses, voluntary organisations, the public and Gypsies and Travellers.

The East of England Plan provides a clear, agreed, long-term vision for how the region will provide jobs and homes for its residents until 2021 and beyond. It is the framework for putting into place the Government's growth agenda within the region and ensuring that growth is sustainable. The adequate provision of homes and affordable housing to accommodate the needs of different communities is a vital element of the Plan.

The panel will conduct an Examination in Public from Tuesday 21 October - Friday 24 October at the Spirella Ballroom in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. Using the results of the public consultation, the panel will provide recommendations on any changes to the proposals. The Government will consult on any further changes before publishing the final policy in 2009.

Further information about the Examination in Public is available on the Planning Inspectorate's website.

Source: Government Office for the East of England