Decision details

RESOLVED:            1)         That the draft Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Potential Sites and Policy document, the Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessment Document, the associated Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the Sustainability Appraisal, be endorsed for consultation, for a period of 6 weeks from the 26^th January until the 8^th March 2024.

2)            That delegated authority be granted to the Portfolio Holder for Development and Regeneration, and the Assistant Director – Environment & Planning, to include minor amendments as required to the consultation document prior to consultation starting at the end of January.

3)         That delegated authority be granted to the Portfolio Holder, Development and Regeneration to ensure new sites which come forward from the consultation exercise be communicated in a timely manner to Borough Councillors and where possible Parish Councils.

Reason for Decision

The Borough Council must allocate land to meet the accommodation needs for Gypsies, Travellers and Showpeople through the replacement Local Plan.  The Local Plan is unlikely to be found sound at examination if insufficient land is allocated to address this need.

Cabinet approval is being sought to publish potential site allocations for consultation. It is also seeking authority to make minor amendments to the consultation document as necessary for clarity ahead of the formal consultation period. Following the consultation, and after a further assessment, Full Council will need to endorse the final preferred site-specific allocations for submission to the Planning Inspectors as part of the ongoing Local Plan examination.