LAND to create permanent sites for gypsy and traveller communities is being called for by Stratford planning chiefs.
Stratford District Council (SDC) is calling for landowners and other interested parties to help identify appropriate and sustainable sites for gypsy, travellers and travelling showpeople to create balanced communities and crackdown on illegal encampments.
The council identified a need across the district to create 59 and 70 additional permanent pitches for gypsies and travellers plus six travelling showpeople plots to be delivered by 2035.
Officers plan to allocate additional sites across the district for this type of accommodation through sites being brought forward for consideration.
Any sites submitted will be assessed and used to inform the preparation of the Gypsy and Traveller and Traveller Showpeople Local Plan the council is preparing. The planning system aims to ensure fair and equal treatment for gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople by enabling the provision of suitable accommodation.
SDC deputy leader Coun Daren Pemberton said: “This council is determined to address the needs of both the ‘settled’ community and those of travelling communities in developing sustainable communities which meet the aspirations of all our residents. Identifying suitable sites that can be brought forward is pivotal in achieving this objective and I strongly urge landowners and other interested parties to think about how they can support us in creating balanced communities by specifically addressing the needs of this section of our residents.
“At the same time, by meeting the identified need, we can ensure high quality accommodation is available for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople. At the same time this will reduce the incidence of unauthorised encampments being established that do nothing to create stronger, vibrant, healthy and sustainable communities for everyone.
“There is need across the district for new sites in suitable locations across the district to meet the current unmet need for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople accommodation and landowners and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit sites for consideration.”
The ‘call for sites’ runs alongside a consultation on the council’s draft Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Supplementary Planning Document which runs from January 7 to February 19, which landowners and other interested parties are encouraged to review and comment on.
Sites should be submitted by using the Call for Sites form available online at www.stratford.gov.uk/gandt and emailing it to [email protected] before Monday March 1.
Visit www.stratford.gov.uk/gandt-spd for more information and to comment on the supplementary planning document.
