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 DPD, when adopted, will allocate land for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in sustainable locations meeting identified accommodation needs up to the year 2040, in line with Government planning policy and legislation.
The Preferred Options Development Plan Document is the second stage in preparing the DPD, summarising the vision, objectives, policies and site allocations.
Potential sites which might be appropriate to accommodate Gypsy and Traveller pitches have been suggested through previous consultation. All of these sites have then been considered through a thorough site assessment process, to identify those which are the most sustainable, viable and deliverable, to be put forward for allocation in the DPD.
Three ‘preferred’ sites are proposed, on land that is already within the ownership of members of the Gypsy and Traveller community. These are:
- Land at Holmes Road Sowerby Bridge – which could accommodate one pitch.
- West View Stables, Church Lane, Stainland – which could accommodate eight pitches
- Tower Lodge, Score Hill, Northowram – which could accommodate 12 pitches
People are now invited to have their say on the proposed sites and the other elements of the ‘Preferred Options’ document. Consultation materials are available at https://calderdale-consult.objective.co.uk/kpse/event/C5C408D4-ECC5-4B63-A71A-57D383EEC291(external link) and people can submit comments until 5pm on Friday 16 May.
There are also a number of drop-in sessions being held, where people can ask questions about the consultation. These are being held as follows:
- Tuesday 8 April, 3.30pm to 7pm – The Old Library, South Parade, Stainland. HX4 9HW.
- Wednesday 16 April, 3pm to 7pm – Foundry Street Community Centre, 15-19 West Street, Sowerby Bridge. HX6 3AS.
- Thursday 24 April, 3pm to 7pm – Northowram Sports Club, Westercroft Lane, Northowram. HX3 7EN.
- Thursday 1 May, 3pm to 7pm – Room B, Halifax Town Hall, Crossley Street, Halifax. HX1 1UJ.
All comments will be carefully considered and will inform the next stage of the DPD.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“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.
“Previous consultations have helped shape a Preferred Options document, and it’s important that people can have their say to help inform the plan’s next steps, ensuring the DPD balances the needs of all communities whilst protecting the natural and built environment.”
For more information, visit calderdale.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/gypsies-and-travellers-and-travelling-showpeople-dpd(external link) ENDS