Policy H/GT: Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople sites

National policy, set out in the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS), is aimed at ensuring “fair and equal treatment for travellers, in a way that facilitates the traditional and nomadic way of life of travellers while respecting the interests of the settled community”. It requires local planning authorities to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople, and to set requirements to address this.

In partnership with other Councils in Cambridgeshire and parts of Norfolk and Suffolk a new accommodation needs assessment has been commissioned and is underway. However, it has been delayed significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this process we are seeking to engage effectively with traveller communities, their representatives, and other stakeholders, to understand the number of permanent residential pitches required for Gypsies and Travellers and the number of permanent plots for Travelling Showpeople that are needed. It has not been possible to complete this survey in time to inform this consultation. It will be available at the next stage of plan making, and will be used to inform the draft

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

and what provision is required.

Some Gypsies and Travellers have ceased to travel and therefore no longer meet the PPTS definition for the purposes of planning. As well as those who meet the definition, the needs assessment will seek to identify the needs of Gypsies and Travellers that no longer travel, as part of the requirement under the Housing Act to consider the needs of people living on sites on which caravans can be stationed. This potential need was one of the issues highlighted by the Inspector examining the 2018 Local Plans to be addressed through this

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

review, and the plan will need to identify how this need will be addressed.

Government policy aims to promote more private traveller provision. Whilst promoters of a number of large sites indicated they could form part of a future dwelling mix, no stand alone sites were submitted for consideration during the two ‘call for sites’ consultations. This consultation provides a further opportunity for sites to be put forward.

Sites for Travelling Showpeople need to be suitable for the storage, maintenance and testing of items of mobile equipment. There are two existing sites in

The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

. The South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018 identified a modest level of need for further plots. The updated needs assessment will provide an opportunity to get an up to date position regarding need.

Issues of sustainability apply to Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople sites, emphasised by government policy. National planning guidance also requires that local planning authorities very strictly limit new traveller site development in open countryside that is away from existing settlements.

To ensure that the levels of Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation are maintained, sites are safeguarded to meet the continuing housing needs of these communities. Safeguarding will ensure that sites are not lost to competing uses.

Responses to the First Conversation considered that consultation on this issue must be wide ranging and include the Gypsy and Traveller community, the wider community and neighbouring authorities. A sound evidence base was important to understand needs. There was support for the allocation of sites and to improve the quality of sites through the better provision of support services on site. There is also support for a dispersed approach with more and smaller sites, including temporary sites, to provide flexibility and choice.

No policy - Not considered a reasonable alternative as plans are required to include policies and address needs.

• The combined areas of Cambridge District and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

  Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

  : Topic paper 7: Homes

South Cambridgeshire

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018

• Policy H/20: Provision for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeopl
• Policy H/21: Gypsy and Traveller Provision at New Communities
• Policy H/22: Proposals for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Sites on Unallocated Land Outside

  This refers to development in its widest sense, including buildings, and streets, spaces and places. It also refers to both redevelopment, including refurbishment, as well as new development.

  Frameworks
• Policy H/23: Design of Gypsy and Traveller Sites, and Travelling Showpeople Sites

Cambridge

Short form for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which sets out policies to guide the future development of Greater Cambridge. It also sets out where future development will take place, and identifies land for new housing, community facilities, shops and employment. It is the key document use to determine planning applications for new development in the Greater Cambridge area.

2018

• Policy 49: Provision for Gypsies and Travellers

Our consultation for this phase is now closed.