Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document

Safeguarding permitted sites

Policy TR3: Safeguarding permitted sites

102. Across the borough there are many existing (predominantly small) sites which have a permanent planning permission for traveller use. Most of these were granted permission several years ago with conditions limiting occupation to those falling within the traveller definition applicable at the time and often specific to named occupants.

103. The GTAA highlights that some occupants are no longer travelling or their travelling status is unknown. However, the Council acknowledges that these are well established sites with a confirmed planning status for Gypsy and Traveller or Travelling Showpeople use. Given the significant identified need for pitches, it is important to ensure existing sites are not lost to alternative uses.

104. As such, existing sites which have planning permission or lawful use for Gypsy and Traveller or Travelling Showpeople use, will be safeguarded to ensure that the permitted use is not lost through the grant of any subsequent planning permission, or relaxation of planning conditions, to allow for other types of development. Where planning conditions applied to permitted sites are based on earlier definitions of Travellers, they may have potential to meet some of the 'unknown/non- traveller' needs.

105. Further, the spatial strategy and approach to accommodating needs is to support suitable intensification, reorganisation or modest expansion of existing sites – in order that they may meet their own needs within their sites. As such, this policy also supports this approach.