The Government wish to remove a lot of the positive planning guidance that currently exists. The present proposals include amongst other things the following -
- Making it harder to get sites in rural areas.
- Making it easier for Councils to say no to planning applications (by removing the need to look at proper evidence).
- A blanket ban on development in the green belt.
The Government have run a consultation on the new proposed planning document – Planning for traveller sites which ended on 4 August 2011, further details can be found on the Communities and Local Government website http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/travellersitesconsultation.
If you did not have the time to take part in the consultation or had not heard about it then you should contact the following person to let them know:
Paul Williams, Planning: Economy and Society Division, Department for Communities and Local Government, Zone 1/G6, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU, tel: 0303 44 40000, email: paul.williams@communities.gsi.gov.uk
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Planning for Gypsies and Travellers: The Impact of Localism
Irish Travellers Movement’s report have launched a new report that was carried out in reponse to a request by Lord Eric Avebury, for evidence on the consequences of the Governement’s abolition of Regional Strategies for the provision of accomodation for Gypsies and Travellers. It builds on an initial paper by Steve Staines from the Traveller Law Reform Project, which highlighted the issues of local authorities dropping and reducing additional pitch targets.
Download the report from the ITMB Website
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A Panel Review of Government Policy on Gypsies and Travellers
The Travellers Aid Trust (TAT) has been funded by the Rowntree Charitable Trust to establish a panel to evaluate the impact of the Decentralisation and Localism Bill and other policies affecting Gypsies and Travellers and to produce a report to determine means by which Government proposals can be strengthened and made more effective in terms of site delivery and social inclusion.
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A Big or Divided Society?
Recommendations and Report of the Panel Review into the Impact of the Localism Bill and Coalition Government Policy on Gypsies and Travellers
Download the report here (PDF)
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Impact of Planning Circular 01/06 on Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision
Dr Jo Richardson from De Montford University has also published a recent report on the Impact of Planning Circular 01/06 on Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision http://policyex.dmu.ac.uk/blog/2011/05/07/impact-of-planning-
circular-106-on-gypsy-and-traveller-site-provision
The report found that:
The Planning Circular 1/06 research found that the number of permissions given at appeal increased substantially (from 40% prior to implementation of Circular 1/06 to 70% during the ‘entrenched period’ of implementation of the Circular).
The majority of permissions given during this ‘entrenched period’ were temporary permissions. Inspectors’ discussion on reasons for decisions showed that weight was given to evidenced need for more sites and lack of alternative accommodation. Appeals were being allowed on a temporary basis to stop the gap.
Since the Secretary of State’s announcements to revoke Regional Strategies and Planning Circular/ 1/06 there has been an impact on number of temporary permissions allowed at appeal. Inspectors’ decision reports show that the revocation announcements were considered and in some cases, weight was given to this.
Whilst there is clear evidence that Circular 1/06 did have a positive impact on the number of permissions (albeit temporary) given for Gypsy and Traveller sites, this should not be seen as a system skewed to advantage Gypsies and Travellers. Instead the Circular levelled the playing field for this traditionally disadvantaged group.
We will now all await the results of the consultations to see what document the Government decide to produce on planning for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
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Further Resources and Links
- List of Planners that specialise in Gypsy Traveller planning cases, compiled by FFT case workers. Download as PDF here.
- List of Traveller Friendly Solicitors, compiled by Marc Willers and FFT (Download as PDF)
- See 2 new films:
“One square mile – meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers” and “A Place for Everyone – A guide to the planning system for Gypsies and Travellers” can be purchased for £10 from South West Alliance of Nomads (SWAN), please contact secretary@gypsytravellerhelp.org - Read the D.I.Y Planning briefs at The Land is Ours website
- Guide to Planning by the Travellers Times magazine.
- Spaces and places for Gypsies and Travellers: how planning can help (PDF, 16 pages, 305KB) http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/aio/29822
This case study draws on emerging good practice in some local authorities to identify how effective use of the planning process can increase the number of authorised pitches available for Gypsies and Travellers in line with new government planning guidance. - Park homes Law (formerly the “Caravan Sites and Mobile Home Parks: The Legal Framework”), is the standard guide to the law, used by occupiers of caravans and park homes, site owners, local government, and lawyers and other professionals. The book deals fully with this specialised area of the law. It covers:
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960.
The Caravan Sites Act 1968.
The Mobile Homes Act 1983.
and changes made to the Mobile Homes Act 1983 by the Housing Act 2004
For more, visit: http://www.parkhomeslaw.co.uk/ - Planning Aid provides free, independent and professional help, advice and support on planning issues to people and communities who cannot afford to hire a planning consultant.
Tel: 0121 214 2900
Website: http://www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk/
