People in Calderdale are invited to share their thoughts to inform the creation of a Development Plan Document. This will outline how the Council can support the accommodation needs of Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities.
There is a national requirement for the Council to prepare a ‘Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document (DPD)’ to go alongside its Local Plan.
The aim of the document is to help ensure that:
· Suitable, specific pitches are provided in sustainable locations to meet the needs of the Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities, helping everyone to access a decent home and local services.
· There are opportunities for fulfilling employment.
· People can move around the borough and travel safely, sustainably and conveniently.
· The environment is protected and enhanced for future generations.
· The travelling community and existing residents can live in local communities in a peaceful and inclusive way.
No sites are identified at this stage, but people are being asked to have their say on the processes for how sites could be identified and assessed. There is also an opportunity to suggest potential sites which might be appropriate to accommodate Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
The ‘call for sites’ exercise will not determine whether a site should be allocated for Gypsy or Showperson pitches/plots, but will help to identify a potential pool of sites which will then be considered further through a site assessment process.
People can share their thoughts at Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document(external link) and the consultation will run until Friday 23 August at 5pm.
All comments will be carefully considered and will inform the next stage of the DPD. This will involve the preparation of a Preferred Options document, which will identify a preferred site or sites. People will also be able to comment on this as part of a further consultation.
The Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople DPD will ultimately result in land being allocated to meet permanent and temporary accommodation needs up to 2040, in line with Government planning policy and legislation.
Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, said:
“We’re committed to reducing inequalities in Calderdale and ensuring that communities which can face particular disadvantage are able to easily access key services and facilities. Calderdale’s Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities can often experience inequalities, such as with their health and access to local services.
“As part of the National Planning Policy Framework we need to plan for the housing needs of all residents and this includes ensuring that sufficient sites are identified to support Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities.
“We want people’s views to help us create a Development Plan Document that will show how we’ll identify suitable sites in a sustainable way. This will balance the needs of all communities and protect the natural and built environment.”
ENDS