Issue - decisions

(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].