Decision details

Response to public consultation held in May-July 2012 on the proposed Preferred Sites

(1) To NOTE that a post consultation ‘stock take’ of the Gypsies and Travellers Site Allocations Plan preparation process is underway which entails:

• responding to the issues arising from the Preferred Options consultation;

• ongoing assessment of the 6 sites previously consulted on;

• assessment of new sites suggested through the Call for Sites, including a review of the existing unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller sites;

• a review of the site selection process which will be used to review existing sites and assess new sites (see draft in Appendix 3);

• review of major development sites, as part of the Core Strategy review, to assess opportunities for Gypsy and Traveller sites;

• a review of capacity outside the Green Belt, including opportunities for provision in neighbouring local authorities;

• an update to the assessment of need for pitches to establish the level of need for 5 and 10 year supply of sites in accordance with Planning for Traveller Sites; and

• ongoing engagement with neighbouring local authorities in accordance with the duty to cooperate.

(2) To NOTE the progress of the ongoing site assessment work conducted following the public consultation (see paragraphs 5.12 to 5.26);

(3) To CONSULT on the results of the stock take referred to in (1) above before preparing a Draft Plan.

(4) To AGREE that in light of the additional evidence arising from the ongoing assessment of sites as summarised in paragraphs 5.14 to 5.26 to the report, and based on an evaluation of these sites against the selection criteria in Appendix 3, the following sites should no longer be pursued as potential sites for allocation as gypsy or traveller pitches in the site allocations Development Plan document: Site GT2: Old Colliery Buildings, Stanton Wick; Site GT4: Former Radstock Infants’ School Canteen; Site GT14: Land near Ellsbridge House, Keynsham; and

(5) To AGREE that whilst the Council is progressing the DPD in light of the absence of any authorised permanent sites within the District the Council should progress a planning application at Lower Bristol Road for gypsy and traveller pitches.

[Note: Resolution (5) above was proposed as an amendment by Councillor Simon Allen which was accepted by the proposer and seconder of the main motion].

The work undertaken and recommended actions are a key part of the Council’s Local Development Scheme and the commitments agreed through the Draft Core Strategy.

The site at Lower Bristol Road is widely acknowledged as a successful site and the residents are fully integrated into the local community so progressing that site will bring rapid benefits to all concerned.

Removal of the 3 identified sites makes sense at this stage because of the additional evidence now available.

Halt work on the Site Allocations DPD and instead seek to include allocations within the Placemaking Plan

The Council is in dialogue with neighbouring authorities on the potential capacity for identification of sites within their areas. The Council is also considering pitch allocations within wider housing growth allocations, as informed by the review of the key development sites as part of the extra work on the Core Strategy, which will inform the development of the Site Allocations DPD.

Not to update the GTAA

This has significant associated risks due to the requirement in national policy to maintain an up-to-date understanding of need. The Council is commissioning an update to the GTAA.

Not to assess additional sites

This option has been discounted as it would prejudice the wider assessment of opportunities of land outside the Green Belt.

Press on to the Draft Plan with the existing list of identified sites

This option has been discounted due to the need to reassess the 6 existing sites more clearly against national planning policy criteria and to consider new sites alongside the review of the SHLAA and Core Strategy.

Expand the scope of the DPD to include boats/barges

Given the different nature of their needs and the fact that both the legislation and the planning requirements relating to Gypsies & Travellers are distinct, the focus of the DPD on Gypsies & Travellers will be retained. The Council will need to consider how to address the needs of boats/barges through another mechanism.