Councils to Set Traveller Site Goals

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has published revised planning rules on Gypsy and Traveller sites. Under the proposed guidelines local authorities would be expected to set their own targets for site provision, in line with assessments of local need, rather than following goals prescribed by central government. The planning policy statement, which will replace Circular 1/2006: planning Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites and Circular 04/2007: planning for travelling showpeople, also makes it clear the development of sites in the green belt is not appropriate. The government wants to crack down on unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller sites, and Mr Pickles warned councils to be ‘particularly vigilant over the extended royal wedding and Easter weekends’. Read more on the CLG website.