Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Development Plan Document (DPD)

West Berkshire Council is in the process of preparing a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment Development Plan Document (GTA DPD). 

Background

Under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) (2015) local planning authorities have a duty to plan for all housing needs, and assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers. Our Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) GTAA Update 2021 [706KB]  highlights that, taking into account existing authorised supply and planned supply, there is a need for more pitches to meet the requirements of gypsies and travellers. Furthermore, considering the 'cultural' need for pitches which accords with the overall need for the travelling community and taking into account the Human Rights Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010, and the Housing and Planning Act 2016 the council is seeking to meet all of its need.  We, therefore, need to allocate at least 3 pitches for the period up to 2026, and a further 17 pitches in the period 2026 to 2038.  We also need to allocate at least 4 transit pitches, which will house 8 caravans. 

Being a plan-led authority enables some assurance over the location of development, including for Gypsies and Travellers. This in turn aids in reducing unauthorised sites and pitches being built without first gaining planning permission. The provision of transit sites aids in reducing unauthorised encampments as travellers can be directed to such sites when travelling through the district. In allocating a site the normal planning process will still need to be followed. 

In terms of the existing development plan, the  Core Strategy - Final [6MB]  and the  Housing Site Allocations DPD [8MB]  contain policies for Gypsy and Traveller sites and was informed by the previous GTAA in 2015. A site was allocated at Paices Hill, Aldermaston to convert 8 transit pitches into 8 permanent pitches, and planning permission has now been granted. Moving forward, the LPR does not propose any additional sites, and carries forward the sites at Paices Hill, for Gypsies and Travellers, and Long Copse Farm, for Travelling Showpeople.  No sites were previously promoted to the council.      

'Call for Sites'

The 'Call for Sites' is the first stage in progressing the GTA DPD.  If you would like to submit a site or sites to us to consider for Gypsy and Traveller pitches and/or plots for Travelling Showpeople, please visit our Consultation Hub Gypsy and Traveller Call for Sites.  Or you can download and complete the Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Call for Sites form [95KB] .  You will need to provide a site location plan. You can come into the Council offices at Market Street, Newbury, RG14 5LD to collect a form.  A member of the planning policy team can also assist with completing the form.

Please provide as much information as possible to ensure your site proposal can be carefully considered.  A separate form will be needed for each site.  Please bear in mind that information on submitted sites will be publicly available and cannot be treated confidentially.  Personal information will not be made available in accordance with the Privacy Notice - Development Plan.  

Next and future steps

Following this 'Call for Sites' we will progress the scope of the GTA DPD, alongside assessing the sites submitted for their suitability for potential allocation. There will be further consultation and engagement in early 2024 on the scope of the GTA DPD.     

Contact

If you have questions, please contact Planning Policy on 01635 519111 or planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk.