Summary
The government requires councils to meet the needs of everyone in their community including those for Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.
Where needs cannot be met, we are at risk of speculative planning applications being given planning permission and unauthorised occupation of land allowed to stay unchallenged even on sites we would normally reject as being unsuitable.
In response, we have introduced a new interim planning framework for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople proposals, to keep control of our planning decisions at the local level and support those sites which meet needs and reject those that don’t.
The framework includes the following:
- An updated evidence base which establishes we have a need to plan for 81 new Gypsy and Traveller pitches over the next five years and a need for 38 Travelling Showpersons plots.
- A Pitch Delivery Assessment which has identified where the 81 pitches can be delivered. This shows we have enough identified sites in the district to provide 81 pitches over the next five years.
- An Interim Planning Policy Statement (IPPS) was published in April 2025. This demonstrates the required five year supply, as well as setting out updated criteria we will use to assess Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople planning applications.
- Using the IPPS to support identified sites which meet needs and are acceptable in all other respects and to reject those which do not meet identified needs.
- Using the IPPS to make informed planning decisions and to support those decisions at appeal for unacceptable sites.
- Taking targeted enforcement action on unauthorised encampments and incursions to protect from unacceptable developments.
Background
As outlined in National Policy, Local Planning Authorities (LPA), in the production of their Local Plans are required to establish the housing needs of different groups within the community, including those of Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople (GTTS) (paragraph 63).
In addition to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) provides guidelines for local planning authorities on how to assess and meet the needs of GTTS.
The PPTS sets out criteria for site provision, encourages collaboration among authorities and aims to reduce unauthorised developments by promoting appropriate site allocations. Overall, it seeks to create a more effective planning framework for GTTS. The PPTS also requires LPAs in producing their Local Plans to identify and update annually, a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide five years’ worth of sites against their locally set targets.
Paragraph 9 of the PPTS requires LPAs to plan for the housing need of GTTS within their planning area. For the purpose of the Local Plan examination to appropriately evidence the needs of GTTS, a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) was carried out and completed earlier this year.
Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA)
The primary objective of the GTAA is to provide a robust assessment of current and future need for GTTS accommodation in the planning area. The GTAA provides a robust evidence base which can be used to aid the implementation of Local Plan Policies and, where appropriate, the provision of new GTTS sites. The GTAA identified a five year need of 81 pitches for Gypsy and Travellers within the planning area, with Travelling Showpeople addressed separately with a need of 38 plots.
Pitch Delivery Assessment
As a result of the identified need presented in the GTAA, a Pitch Delivery Assessment (PDA) was carried out to demonstrate the Council’s ability to meet the need. The PDA identifies and assesses potential sites for Gypsy and Traveller pitches and focuses on determining the suitability, availability and achievability of existing sites for potential intensification.
The PDA demonstrated 64 pitches can be met by intensification on existing sites. These sites are considered acceptable locations for Gypsy and Traveller development in principle.
The remaining 17 pitches are to be met mainly through a number of existing sites that are currently inhabited by non-Gypsy and Travellers.
The Council will take appropriate action to ensure these sites are brought back into Gypsy and Traveller use and the pitches will be made available to those with a demonstrable need.
The Council considers it can demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable sites and we will continue to use the IPPS as a robust confirmation of that supply. The IPPS is being regularly updated to add any new permissions.
Responding to residents’ complaints
The Council is aware of the difficulties some residents are having regarding unauthorised GTTS development and anti-social behaviour arising from a number of sites.
The Council is also aware other sites are accommodating non-Gypsy and Travellers. On this basis, the Council will commission further assessment work to determine which sites are in breach of condition, to what level and we will seek to remove anyone who is not a Gypsy or Traveller.
Taking enforcement action
At this point, the Council will issue appropriate enforcement action on all sites where any inappropriate development has taken place If required, we will consider prosecution and/or direct action (with bailiff/clearance contractors engaged by the Council), possibly backed by a court injunction to secure long-term compliance.