Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople - Call for Sites

Activity closed.

Background

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

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 and Travelling Showpeople. Our Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) 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 Development Plan Document (HSA DPD) [8MB] 2016 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 Local Plan Review does not propose any additional sites, and the existing allocated Gypsy and Traveller site at Paices Hill, Aldermaston, and the Travelling Showpeople site at Long Copse Farm, Enborne are proposed to be carried forward in the Local Plan Review. No sites were promoted to the council.      

The 'Call for Sites' is the first stage in progressing the GTA DPD.  Further consultations will be held in early 2024 as we work through the stages of the GTA DPD. Following this 'Call for Sites' we will progress the vision and strategic objectives, alongside assessing the sites submitted for their suitability for potential allocation.  

How you can help

We would like you to let us know if you have any land available, or knows of any land available, within the district which could be suitable for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, either permanent or transit, and/or plots for Travelling Showpeople.

How to take part

If you would like to submit land for consideration as a Gypsy and Traveller pitch/site or a plot/yard for Travelling people, please  complete this form [95KB]  and include a site plan to identify where the site is. One form should be completed for each site. You can visit the Council offices at Market Street, Newbury, where a member of the planning policy team can provide a copy of the form and if needed assist in completing the form with you. Please e-mail the form and site plan to planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk or return to the Council offices at Market Street, Newbury. 

Please complete our form [95KB]

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk or call 01635 519111 and ask for Planning Policy.  Please visit the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Development Plan Document (DPD) page for more information.

Data Protection Notice

Personal information given on this form will only be used by West Berkshire Council (and its agents) in connection with its statutory land use and transportation planning functions. It will not be used for any other purposes. You can read our Privacy Notice here [131KB] .

What happens next

Information gathered will allow the council to consider promoted sites in relation to their suitability, availability, and achievability for development in the context of planning policy, environmental constraints, and the extent to which these can be mitigated or addressed.

The information will be used to propose sites which could potentially be allocated and form the basis for further consultation.