Agenda item

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 to include minor amendments as required to the consultation document prior to consultation starting from the 10^th May.

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 the final proposed site-specific allocations and policies for submission to the Planning Inspectors as part of the ongoing Local Plan Examination.

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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.

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.