Calderdale Council is looking at ways to support the accommodation needs of Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities, in line with Government planning policy and legislation.
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.
No sites or site-specific policies are being identified at this stage. 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.
To help create the DPD, the Council has been discussing options with local organisations and communities for some time. It is now seeking approval to hold a public consultation to gather more views, and Cabinet Members will be asked to give the go ahead at their meeting on Monday 3 June 2024.
If approved by Cabinet, the consultation would ask people to have their say on the processes for identifying and assessing proposed sites, and to submit ideas for potential sites to consider, rather than identifying any specific sites at this stage.
Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Housing, said:
“As part of our priority to reduce inequalities, we are committed to ensuring that Calderdale’s Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities have opportunities to access good housing, jobs and services. We know they can often experience inequalities, such as with their health and access to local devices.
“As required by the National Planning Policy Framework, we need to plan for the housing needs of all residents, including Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. We want people’s views to help us create a Development Plan Document that will show how we’ll identify suitable sites for accommodating Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in a sustainable way. This will balance the needs of all communities and protect the natural and built environment.”
The Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document 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.
The next step after the public consultation, if approved by Cabinet, is to consider the responses and prepare a draft plan that sets out site options for further public consultation. This would take place in early 2025.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet meeting will be held on Monday 3 June 2024 at Halifax Town Hall from 4pm. The meeting can also be viewed online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)