Purpose

To seek approval to undertake a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise to invite anyone with land with the potential to develop for gypsy and traveller sites to submit to the Council for consideration as part of the Local Plan process.

Decision

RESOLVED that:

1)    Cabinet approves the Call for Sites forms and accompanying guidance.

2)    Cabinet approves a call for sites engagement period starting on the 31st July and ending on the 16th September.

3)    Cabinet grants delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any necessary typographical or other minor changes to the papers prior to publication for consultation.

Reasons for the decision

The Preparation of a Local Plan is a statutory requirement and must follow a statutory procedure, including public consultation and examination.

In order to demonstrate that the Council is doing all that it can to meet the needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people an additional call for site is recommended to seek to meet that need. Following the visit from the Planning Inspector to assist with the Plan being found sound at examination additional efforts to meet the needs of this group should be undertaken. The benefits are not only related to the Local Plan and adoption, if successful suitable sites could be identified to meet the need of this community for the coming years.

The government expects local councils to have up-to-date Local Plans to guide development in their area. This plan means that the Council can retain control over where development should be located rather than unplanned speculative development, sometimes without sufficient benefit to local communities. Failure to have an up-to-date plan could risk government intervention and result in a loss of local control.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 (Recommended)

It is considered that this focused call for sites is the best way to bring forward land that is suitable for Gypsy and Travellers and while only one site previously came forward it is hoped with some additional advertising additional sites could be put forward by landowners.

Option 2

There is the option for the Council not to undertake the call for sites however it is considered that this will reduce the soundness of the plan at examination stage given the lack of available Gypsy and Traveller sites.