Gypsy and Traveller, and Travelling Showpeople Accomondation
As part of evidence base work for the new Local Plan, the Council will consider the need for additional sites and pitches and will explore opportunities for new and expanded sites. To do this the Council has commissioned a new Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment. Potential sites can be suggested during the interviews with communities which will start later this year and run into next year or during one of our call for sites.
Proposals could be for either new sites or an expansion or intensification of an existing site. Proposals are invited for permanent residential sites or transit sites / temporary stopping places.
The district has a history of being a popular location for Gypsy and Travellers to make their home. It contains approximately 19 private sites, mostly in Heysham Central and Westgate wards, and 19 pitches on Mellishaw Park, which the council manages. Mellishaw Park has recently been redeveloped.
A Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) was completed in September 2017. It highlighted that:
- There were approximately 112 households with a White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller ethnicity in the district
- There were 82 pitches across the district, of which 57 are occupied by Gypsy and Traveller households, 12 pitches were vacant and 8 were unoccupied on family sites, with a further five occupied by non-Gypsy and Traveller households
- The study found evidence of Gypsy and Traveller pitch need over the next five years (2017/18 to 2021/22) equating to 11 pitches under a cultural definition, or four pitches under the PPTS 2015 definition of Gypsy/Traveller
- There is no current or expected future need for Travelling Showpeople plots in the district
- There is no expected need for transit pitches within the district
Since the assessment was completed, planning permissions for 1 temporary site with 1 pitch and 3 permanent sites with 6 additional pitches have been granted.
Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment including Boat Dweller Assessment Update
As part of evidence base work for the new Local Plan, the Council will consider the need for additional sites and pitches and will explore opportunities for new and expanded sites. To do this the Council has commissioned a new Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment. Potential sites can be suggested during the interviews with communities which will start later this year and run into next year or during one of our call for sites.
Proposals could be for either new sites or an expansion or intensification of an existing site. Proposals are invited for permanent residential sites or transit sites / temporary stopping places.
Information about the new Local Plan can be found on our Local Plan Hub. To be kept up to date about the progress of the new Local Plan and to be notified when call for sites are open, please join our mailing list.