Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of how the council can meet its identified need for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople. The report will provide policy context, review approaches of some neighbouring local authorities, discuss the findings of the Council’s GTAA and explain some of the potential approaches that can be taken to meet the accommodation needs of gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople.

Recommendation:

That the Local Plan Sub-Committee:

(i)        notes the contents of this report; and

(ii)       agrees with officers’ recommendation that the Council focusses on intensifying and expanding sites/yards where possible and allocates parts of strategic general needs housing sites to meet the remaining need.

Officers introduced the report summarizing the Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Accomodation Assessment (GTAA) and the identified need for additional pitches and comparative approached taken by neighbouring authorities.

The GTAA had identified a specific unmet need for both Gypsy/traveller pitches and Travelling Showpeople plots within the plan. Demand was split between Household formation within existing sites and new households not currently living on authorized sites. Significant challenges exist in Three Rivers due to Extensive Green Belt coverage and limited suitable land with good access.

Members acknowledged the difficulty of identifying new standalone sites in Three Rivers due to the Green Belt restrictions. They discussed whether intensification of existing sites could realistically meet the need, or whether this would over burden certain communities. Officers clarified that some sites have physical capacity for modest expansion. Intensification would not exceed capacity where it risked generating overcrowding or unacceptable amenity impacts. Every potential intensification option would undergo full assessment.

Members considered whether incorporating a small portion of new large housing allocations (e.g. 300-500 dwelling sites) to provide a few Gypsy/Traveller pitches would promote better community cohesion and avoid concentrating need in particular parts of the district and be more suitable for accessing utilities, services, healthcare and education. Some members queried potential community pushback and how this would be managed. Officers advised that national planning guidance strongly supports integrated provision and that many councils successfully include pitches within strategic sites. Early engagement with developers would ensure properly designed layour, screening, utilities and access.

Members sought confirmation that new or expanded pitches would have proper access to utilities, meet modern design and safety standards and provide sufficient amenity space. Officers confirmed that all allocations would include detailed design criteria, including minimum pitch size, highway safety and access would be fully tested and screening or boundary planting would be required.

The substantive motion was put to the vote and with 6 votes For, 1 vote Against and 2 Abstentions, the motion as carried.