Agenda item

Cabinet considered a report which explained that as part of the Local Plan process, the Council had previously produced a draft consultation document on proposed locations to meet the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers, and Travelling Showpeople in the Borough. This was subject to a public consultation period between the 26^th January and the 8^th March 2024. It incorporated the list of existing sites across the Borough, and was predominantly made up of extensions to many of those sites. The consultation also included the methodology used for individual site assessments, those sites that are potential areas to accommodate the identified needs, and planning policies to manage such developments over the plan period to 2039. This formed the first part of the consultation process for the Gypsy and Traveller part of the Local Plan process.

The report explained that the consultation period was successful in that over 150 responses were received. This information had helped the Planning Policy Team in refining the policy and proposals, and in making further recommendations to Council regarding proposed allocations for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople provision, required for the Local Plan to progress.

This report to Cabinet sought authority to proceed with a further and final period of consultation on those proposed (allocated) sites for Gypsy and Traveller use. The consultation documents would identify the changes made since the previous consultation earlier this year. This additional period of consultation would run for a 6-week period, with any comments received submitted to the Inspectors in July 2024 for their consideration at the Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople specific Local Plan Examination hearings in early September 2024.

The Environment and Community Panel had considered the report and had supported the recommendations. The Senior Planning Officer informed members that the delegation set out in the recommendation ensured that any amendments required following the consultation until 10 May could be incorporated to ensure the documents were revised accordingly.  Councillor Moriarty commended officers for the work that had gone into engaging the public and ensuring members were kept informed during the process.  He suggested an amendment to the delegation to change it to the Assistant Director in consultation with the Portfolio holder. This was agreed. He also reminded members that the recommendations would go to the 25 April 2024, Special Council meeting.

RECOMMENDED:      1)          That the revised Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Proposed Sites and Policy document, the Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessment Document, the associated Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment be approved, for consultation, for a period of 6 weeks from the 10^th May until the 21st June 2024.

2)             That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director – Environment & Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development and Regeneration, and, to include minor amendments as required to the consultation document prior to consultation starting from the 10^th May 2024.

Reason for Decision

The Borough Council should allocate enough land to meet the accommodation needs for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople within the first five years of the Plan period to 2027, in accordance with National Planning Policy.

Cabinet approval is being sought to publish those proposed site allocations for consultation. It is also seeking authority to make minor amendments to the consultation document as necessary for clarity ahead of the final formal consultation period. Full Council will also need to endorse these final proposed site-specific allocations and policies for formal submission to the Planning Inspectors as part of the ongoing Local Plan Examination.

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Councillor Moriarty, seconded by Councillor Parish proposed the recommendations from CAB139: Local Plan - Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Proposed Sites and Policy Consultation.

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Moriarty set out the legal requirements around the provision of sites for the Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople Community and drew attention to the content of the report, and the link to the Local Plan process.

Councillor Long drew attention to the importance of the additional consultation proposed and the need to have this element of the Local Plan in place.  He highlighted the need to have the strategic Flood Risk Assessments in place for the sites.

Councillor Bone informed Council that the Labour Group supported the recommendations.

Councillor Kemp supported the proposals to include the sites into the 5 year land supply.

Councillor Bearshaw commented that the recommendations were the right thing to do.  He expressed concern about those unauthorised sites which may have been subject to enforcement action and that he presumed would now automatically receive planning permission, which he considered sent a message that the rules didn’t need to be complied with.

Councillor Croft expressed concern about the high number of sites within his ward, which he felt received the majority of the allocations,  He hoped his comments would be taken on board by the Local Plan Inspector.

Councillor Dark asked what the level of minor changes would be in the delegation following the consultation, and whether members considered it should return to the Council for approval.

Councillor de Whalley commented that the placement of sites close to each other assisted with achieving the requirement for community cohesion in the Local Plan.

Councillor Kirk supported Councillor Crofts comments as he considered his ward had a high proportion of the sites included. He commented that the enforcement on 2 sites had ceased while the consultation work was ongoing.  He also commented that his local parish councils were not happy about the high number of allocations and were experiencing a number of problems with sites.

Councillor Rust commented that many of the sites were for the extensions of family groupings.  She reminded members that the recommendations were for further consultation.

Councillor Kunes made reference to some parts of the area where non Gypsy and Traveller members of the community weren’t able to go.

In summing up Councillor Moriarty noted that is was not appropriate to discuss individual sites given the purpose of this item of business, but reminded members it was to go out to further consultation.  He urged members to participate in the consultation so the Inspector heard their views.  He also commented that as part of the delegation in the recommendations he would discuss any proposed amendments with the Vice Chair of the Local Plan Task Group, Councillor Blunt.

With regard to the point made about enforcement, Councillor Moriarty commented on the fact that the level of need had not been established so planning appeals were being lost, the proposals going forward would set out the sites in accordance with need.  He urged members again to respond to the consultation process.

On being put to the vote the recommendations were agreed.

RESOLVED:   1)         That the revised Gypsy, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Proposed Sites and Policy document, the Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessment Document, the associated Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment be approved, for consultation, for a period of 6 weeks from the 10^th May until the 21st June 2024.

2)              That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director – Environment & Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Development and Regeneration, and, to include minor amendments as required to the consultation document prior to consultation starting from the 10^th May 2024.