Archived News - Gypsy
Did you comment on the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan?
All consultation responses and supporting evidence regarding Central Bedfordshire Council's Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan were submitted to the Secretary of State last week (Monday, 23 June 2014).
The most recent consultation ran from 17 February to 31 March 2014 and received more than 1,556 responses (plus a petition against Policy GT10 with approximately 2,800 signatures). All of these, along with responses received in previous formal consultations, will now be considered by an independent Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to determine whether the Plan is 'sound' and legally compliant.
It is expected that the Inspector will hold a Public Examination this coming autumn. Individuals who made objections and sought changes to the document during the formal consultation and requested to attend the hearings will be invited to attend the hearing sessions to present their argument to the Planning Inspector verbally.
For those who do not wish to attend the hearing sessions, the Planning Inspector will still consider their written comments and all comments, whether made in writing or verbally at the hearings, will carry the same weight.
For more information about the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan or to view the Submission documents please visit the Central Bedfordshire website. Alternatively, copies of the Submission documents can be viewed at the Council Offices in Chicksands and Dunstable during opening hours.
Policies published on Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the East of England
Policies published as part of the Regional Spatial Strategy set out how many pitches and plots are needed in each district in the East of England to provide enough authorised pitches until 2021.
The figures have been agreed after extensive consultation and discussion with Local Authorities, planning bodies and community representatives, and will be written into local developments plans. By providing the right amount of authorised pitches in appropriate locations the policy will reduce the number of unauthorised sites without proper planning permission. This will also help to reduce enforcement costs to the taxpayer - estimated at around £18 million a year - and improve community relations between the settled and non-settled communities across the region.
Barbara Follett, Minister for the East of England, said:
“Today's publication of the review of the Regional Spatial Strategy is a positive step towards addressing the serious disadvantages experienced by members of the travelling communities who have a life expectancy 10-12 years below the regional average, and huge challenges accessing education and health services.
“It is vital that we address the housing needs of everyone in our communities, including Gypsies and Travellers. By ensuring sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, we can help stop the negative and costly cycle of evictions from unauthorised sites that is costly to the taxpayer and impacts on the quality of life for the travelling community and can be so disruptive to all of our communities.”
Communities Secretary John Denham said:
“The Government has put funding in place for local authorities to provide new authorised sites and an effective enforcement framework that gives them the tools to tackle unauthorised developments. All local authorities must make rapid progress on making full use of these powers whenever they are needed.
“Effective management of what is often a controversial issue must mean providing the right number of pitches for Gypsies and Travellers in the appropriate locations, but also ensuring the genuine concerns of the settled community are understood and addressed. Making progress and balancing everyone's needs requires proper leadership and action.”
Today's announcement builds on the draft policy submitted by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in February 2008. This draft policy was then consulted on and tested at an Examination in Public in October 2008. Proposed changes to the policy were published for public consultation in March 2009.
The final policies provide a framework for local planning authorities, who can then take local decisions about the location and distribution of the pitches. The policy has been developed to ensure a more equitable distribution of the additional requirements across Local Authority areas.
Details of the breakdown of provision by district is included in the policy, which is available on the Regional Planning pages of the GoEast website.
Source: Government Office for the East of England
Proposed Changes To Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision
Following an examination in public in October, local people are now being invited to take part in an eight week long consultation to have their say on the proposed changes. The responses (due by 5pm on 22 May 2009) will then be carefully considered before the final plans are published later this year.
The provision of authorised sites, with occupiers being liable for council tax and utility bills, will help to reduce enforcement costs to the taxpayer - estimated at around £18 million a year.
Communities Minister Sadiq Khan said:
"It is important that in the same way we provide housing for the settled community, we also provide enough authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers.
"By ensuring sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, we can help stop the vicious cycle of evictions from unauthorised sites that is costly to the taxpayer and impacts on the quality of life for the travelling community and the wider public.
"Not only this, but Gypsy and Traveller residents of authorised pitches are also responsible for paying rent, council tax and other utility bills in the same way as the settled community."
The proposals suggest 80 new pitches have to be created in the Central Bedfordshire area by 2011, of which 50 must be in the South Bedfordshire region.
You can download the proposals here (see page 8 for details of how to respond).
Source: Government Office for the East of England
Funding announced for authorised Gypsy and Traveller Sites in East of England
The funding will help reduce the costs of enforcing against unauthorised sites - it is estimated that this costs local authorities around £18 million a year.
In the East of England £1.3 million of Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant has been allocated to provide new sites, extend 2 sites, and support refurbishment works on 5 sites.
Communities Minister Iain Wright said:
"The Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant is crucial to the delivery of both new and better sites to ensure that Gypsies and Travellers have authorised, decent places to live.
The problem of unauthorised camping and the tensions it can cause will only be tackled through sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, coupled with effective enforcement action. Site provision helps reduce the need for enforcement action - which costs taxpayers around £18 million a year - and makes it quicker and easier to take action where unauthorised camping does take place."
Schemes have been assessed by independent consultants and considered by Regional Assemblies. All proposals for new sites are subject to the full planning process.
The Homes and Communities Agency will be responsible for the Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant for 2009/10 onwards.
Source: Government Office for the East of England
Publication of report on Gypsy and Traveller sites in the East of England
The Report sets out the conclusions and recommendations of the Panel who conducted the Examination in Public into the Draft Policy prepared by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA).
The draft policy was pulled together following a rigorous consultation process where views from a wide range of groups were heard. The proposals follow two years of research and consultation with local authorities, businesses, voluntary organisations, the public and Gypsy and Traveller communities.
The report, including the Panel's recommendations, will now be considered by the Government, who will then publish the Secretary of States decisions on the Panels recommendations, along with any Proposed Changes to the draft policy. The policy is a vital part of the longer term planning process for homes within the East of England, and part of the Government's commitment to provide sufficient authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers to stop the cycle of evictions from unauthorised sites that is costly to the taxpayer and impacts on the quality of life for the travelling community and the wider public. The proposed changes will undergo a further 12 week consultation to allow for views to be heard before the finalised plan is published by Summer 2009.
Key recommendations of the Panel include:
- An increase in regional pitch provision from 1,187 to 1,237 over the next three years to provide adequate space for traveller families and to ease pressure caused by current shortages.
- The final policy should include provision for transit sites and travelling showpeople.
Local authorities are responsible for planning authorised pitches for the Gypsy and Traveller communities as well as the housing needs of the settled population. The additional pitches contribute to housing provision in the East of England as a whole, reflecting the fact that the lack of decent, affordable homes is a key issue for settled communities and Gypsies and Travellers alike.
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.
Following the consultation an Examination in Public was held in October 2008.
Source: Government Office for the East of England
Independent panel to consider gypsy and traveller sites in East of England
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
Gypsy site in Billington to be extended
A gypsy caravan site in Billington is to be extended despite objections from local parish councils.
The application was for change of use of a horse paddock to the siting of five caravans to the rear of the existing gypsy caravan site at 28 Stanbridge Road, Billington.
South Beds Planning Committee gave the go ahead after acknowledging the need for at least 40 travellers' pitches in the next five years. And the Housing Act 2004 requires local housing authorities to include gypsies and travellers in their accommodation assessments, including drawing up a strategy demonstrating how those needs will be met.
Objections included these statements from Stanbridge Parish Council: "There are large existing sites in the adjoining parishes of Stanbridge, Tilsworth and Eaton Bray. There is no justification for yet another site within the area.
"There are also concerns regarding land being purchased and illegally occupied. Also further erosion of the Green Belt by intensive development and the development is not in keeping with the surrounding area."
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Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 24 June 2008
Last chance to comment on proposals for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the East of England
Time is running out for residents in the East of England to have their say on plans to address the shortage of caravan pitches for Gypsies and Travellers in the region. The deadline for comments is Friday 16 May, 2008.
This consultation is being 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 4,229 Gypsy and Traveller caravans in the region. Of these 1,140 are currently on unauthorised pitches. East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) has recommended that each of the region's 48 local authorities should provide at least 15 additional pitches. Proposals will be finalised by GO-East in 2009.
Tim Freathy, Acting Deputy Regional Director of GO-East said:
"It is important to engage with the Gypsy and Traveller community. By providing enough authorised sites to meet people's needs we can reduce unauthorised encampments and help to end friction with settled communities."
The plans for additional Gypsy and Traveller caravan pitches 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.
Responses to the public consultation will be considered by an independent panel who will conduct an Examination in Public and provide recommendations on any changes to the proposals. The Government will consult on any further changes before publishing the final policy later in 2009.
Source: Government Office for the East of England
Government pays £73,000 to improve traveller site
A traveller site at Eaton Bray is set to get a £73,013 makeover. Beds County Council has been given the money to spend on Chiltern View in Northall Road as part of an East of England Gypsy and Traveller Site grant totalling £6.9 million, announced on Friday by Communities Minister Ian Wright MP.
Across England, since 2006/7 the Government has approved £54.6 million of investment (including £50,000 for Chiltern View) that will provide over 400 additional pitches for gypsies and travellers, and refurbish 120 sites.
A further £97 million of funding is available between 2008-11, and bids are now being invited for 2008/9.
Mr Wright said: "This funding is vital in delivering both new and better sites to ensure that gypsies and travellers have authorised, decent places to live and to help reduce the £18 million annual enforcement bill.
"It is important that councils ensure there are enough authorised sites for the gypsy and traveller communities.
"A good supply of legal sites can break the vicious cycle of evictions that is costly in terms of both local tensions and taxpayers' cash."
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Source: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 11 March 2008
Cash for gipsy site upgrade
More than £50,000 will be spent on improvements to the Chiltern View site in Northall Road to bring it up to scratch.
It's all part of a huge government spending spree, which has seen more than £20 million allocated to sites around the UK over the past 12 months.
Beds County Council, which is responsible for running and maintaining the site, has said the money will be spent on improving the Eaton Bray site.
A council spokesman said: "We welcome this funding announcement from the Department for Communities and Local Government.
"The money will be invested to improve Chiltern View for its residents and will include upgrading lighting facilities, replacing hot water cylinders and provide better drainage measures on the site."
Explaining the decision to award the grant, the government communities minister, Meg Munn, said: "By improving the provision of authorised sites, we can tackle the problem of unauthorised camping and ensure everyone has a decent place to live.
"The grant is vital in our drive to increase the number of authorised sites for gipsies and travellers. Providing more authorised sites reduces the cost to taxpayers of costly enforcement action and creates a sustainable solution for the whole community."
Source: Dunstable Gazette, 7 February 2007