Minutes:
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The Interim Senior Planning Officer reminded Members that at the last meeting the Council undertook to carry out a call for sites, the exercise had resulted in 5 new sites put forward. In parallel, the Council had assessed if there was any Borough Council land available and had also contacted the Norfolk County Council to ascertain if they had any available land to be assessed for Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation. The Task Group was advised that the process was ongoing. In addition, an exercise was being carried out to systematically/objectively assess all existing sites and those which had come forward.
The Task Group was reminded that there was a requirement for the Council to provide a 5 year land supply to meet the need for Gypsy and Travellers and travelling show people and advised that out of the document it was the Council’s aim to provide that supply or provision of land in the site options document proposed for consultation to start in early 2024. The Task Group was informed that the need for gypsies and travellers was 76 pitches and 5 pitches for travelling Show-people. Over the Plan period a total of 102 pitches were required. From the work being undertaken in assessing the sites the Council was confident it could meet the 5 year need for gypsies and travellers and travelling Show-people through new site allocations.
In conclusion, the Interim Senior Planning Officer explained that a further update would be presented to the Task Group in December 2023/early January 2024 (date to be confirmed).
In response to a question from the Chair, the Interim Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the Inspector would hear the evidence on the Gypsy and Traveller Policy at hearings at the end of June 2024, following hearings for other Local Plan matters, issues and questions.
The Planning Policy Manager outlined the timetable for the Examination Hearing currently scheduled for June 2024 and advised that details had been published on the Council’s website.
A Task Group would need to be scheduled mid-December 2023/early January 2024 before Cabinet on 15 January 2024.
The Chair thanked officers for the update and invited questions from the Task Group, a summary of which is set out below.
In response to questions and comments from Councillor Blunt on the consultation process and whether any Parish Council presentations or roadshows had been scheduled, the Planning Policy Manager explained that currently there were no presentations or roadshows scheduled but a Parish Briefing could be programmed. Councillor Blunt commented that this would be a helpful approach to inform Parish Councils.
Following questions from Councillor de Whalley on the number of new sites and only one required, the Interim Senior Planning Officer explained that all sites were put forward had been through the assessment process and that the main issue identified was flooding and was a challenge when life was at risk. The Task Group was informed that all new sites had been through a flood risk assessment and a sustainability appraisal. Some sites were located in flood zone 2, medium risk of flooding and did not necessarily preclude development. Instead, it meant that the depth and velocity of the water on those sites had to be considered.
The Interim Senior Planner explained that majority of the existing sites were in EA flood zone 3 which in most instances without climate change was over a metre depth, rising to 1.5 metres taking account of climate change. Therefore from a vulnerability point of view these depths presented a significant risk (potentially to life). It was highlighted that some of the sites put forward were in flood zone 2 and the depth was only 10 cm and explained that although there was a risk of flooding, the risk to life was limited and it maybe that there were suitable for allocation with mitigation. These issues had presented a challenge because for gypsies and travellers because they were classed as semi-permanent and in mobile accommodation, therefore classified as at greater vulnerability/risk than dwellings.