Last updated: 28th June 2018
1. Introduction
The Council has a duty to address accommodation needs of all sectors of the community including its Travelling community. This is in line with national planning policy which requires local authorities to develop fair and effective strategies to identify land to meet local need.
Preparation is underway on a Travellers Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD). This will allocate land suitable for development as Gypsy, Traveller or Travelling Showpeople sites to meet the accommodation need identified through the evidence base (see below).
2. Timetable
The Council consulted on an Issues and Options document in 2011 and a Preferred Options document in 2012. As formative stages in the development of the Site Allocations document those focused on engaging the public with how to meet local need and where sites could come forward. The responses to each of those consultations are available to view on the consultation page.
Further progress has been affected by a number of factors including the need for updated evidence, further site assessment work needed and the requirement to work jointly with adjoining authorities (Duty to Cooperate) to ensure that all non-Green Belt options are fully explored.The 2012 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) for B&NES is out of date and needs reviewing in the light of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (s124); the changes in the definition of 'traveller’ in the revised ‘Planning Policy for Traveller Sites’ (August 2015); and the fact that a number of sites have recently been granted planning permission for traveller use. An updated evidence base will give a more accurate assessment of the need in B&NES.
The current programme for the Plan is set out in the Council’s latest Local Development Scheme.
3. Consultation
Bath and North East Somerset Council have so far undertaken two stages of informal public consultation in the development of the Site Allocations DPD. Information on the public consultation events and full responses received on each document are set out on that page. Click here for more information on each document.
4. Further Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Further information is available from the following pages:
- Background information on Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople, including the background evidence base, the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA 2012);
- Information is also available on the Council's legal obligations, and the planning policy framework to the Site Allocations DPD;
- A series of Frequently Asked Questions and their answers are available via this link. If you think we have missed something crucial, please get in contact with the Planning Policy Team to let us know; and
- Detailed consultation information, including links to the relevant documents and information on how you can view or purchase hard copies of the Preferred Options consulation document.