Tell us your views on Traveller and Gypsy accommodation

Views are being sought on how Ashford Borough Council creates a new local plan covering the accommodation needs of Travellers and Gypsies within the borough.

The council is in the early stages of drafting a new Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Local Plan.

This consultation will help shape how potential sites are assessed and how we define the housing need that we must fulfil. We are also looking for suggestions for future sites.

Cllr Neil Shorter, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: “It is important that people let us know their views as we move forward with this process. All the responses we receive will help form the next stage of the local plan.”

When finalised, the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Local Plan will form part of the overall Development Plan for the borough, meaning that planning applications will be assessed against its criteria. The plan will also offer the borough more protection against unauthorised encampments as there will be specific sites designated for Gypsies and Travellers.

The consultation document also includes some frequently asked questions and more information to help you make your decisions.

You can complete the consultation online. You can also pick up a paper copy of the document at Ashford Civic Centre, Ashford Gateway, Charing Library, Tenterden Gateway and Wye Library.

If you have any questions, please call 01233 330229 or email the Planning Policy team for a copy of the document or comment forms to be sent out to you.

FAQs:

Q: What is a Local Plan and the Development Plan?

A: A Development Plan is a series of documents setting out the local authority’s policies and proposals for development and land use in its area. These individual documents are usually known as Local Plans. The Development Plan as a whole guides and shapes day-to-day decisions as to whether or not planning permission should be granted. The main Development Plan for Ashford is the Local Plan 2030, but there are also other documents within this series. In order to ensure that decisions are consistent, all applications are considered against the Development Plan as a whole. The Local Plan subject to this consultation will form part of this series, once adopted.

Q: Why do we need a plan for Gypsies and Travellers?

A: We are committed to meeting the accommodation needs of the Gypsy and Traveller community within the borough, in the same way as the housing needs of the settled community are planned for in the Local Plan 2030. National Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) requires that local planning authorities identify and update a supply of sites for Gypsies and Travellers over a set period of time. Other legislation, such as the Housing and Planning Act and Equality Act also requires that we plan for this specific accommodation need.

Q: What is the purpose of this consultation?

A:  This ‘options’ document is designed to highlight the key issues around this topic, while suggesting options to address these issues. The format of the document is to provide some background information and then pose a series of ‘options’ as questions. The views received will feed into the next stage, which will be a full draft plan including site allocations, expected later this year.

Q: Are you identifying new sites or pitches yet?

A:  No, we are not yet identifying specific sites or pitches. We are seeking your views on the site assessment process and criteria. There is the opportunity to raise further site selection issues as part of this consultation and submit sites or pitches for consideration as potential options for allocation. Specific sites will be assessed and then identified in the next stage of the plan production (Regulation 19 stage).

Q: What benefit to the settled community will new sites provide?

A: If we plan for new Traveller and Gypsy accommodation it will prevent the formation of unauthorised encampments which often cause conflict with the settled community. It is better for all members of the community if sites can be identified based on agreed suitable assessment criteria and designed appropriately.

Q: How do I respond to the consultation?

A:  You can view and comment on the documents online or in person at Ashford Civic Centre, Ashford Gateway, Charing Library, Tenterden Gateway and Wye Library. You can also call us on 01233 330229 or email the Planning Policy team for a copy of the document or comment forms to be sent out to you.

Q: What will the next steps be?

A: After this consultation, we will need to consider responses carefully. Your responses will inform the policies coming forward in the draft plan. Sites will be assessed and selected on whether they can be delivered. We also consider their suitability and sustainability as set out in this consultation. The next version of the plan, which will include specific sites or pitches, will be subject to a further consultation where everyone can comment on the proposed policies and site allocations. Finally, the plan will be submitted to the government for independent examination to be checked for legal ‘soundness’ before its adoption by the council.

You are able to keep up to date with our articles, news and publications by following us on our social media channels below: