New Planning Policy Bans Travellers from Green Belt

Travellers are to be banned from living on Green Belt land under new plans published by Local Government Minister Bob Neill as part of new traveller site guidance.  The new policy – separate from the National Planning Policy Framework - puts the provision of sites back into the hands of local councils, in consultation with local communities.  The Government says it has launched the policy to protect the countryside, stating that Traveller sites are "an inappropriate development on Green Belt land".  Mr Neill said the new planning policy would help ensure fair treatment of travellers while “respecting the interest of the settled community”.  Read more on the CLG website.