MP welcomes reform of plans for Travellers sites - Worcestershire

From the Droitwich Standard

DROITWICH’s MP Peter Luff has welcomed a new Government policy document which aims to offer planning guidance for traveller sites across the county.

Following a consultation last year the Government has published the new planning guidance as a separate document from the National Planning Policy Framework which was launched on Tuesday (March 27).

The new guidance strengthens protection of the green belt by stating that traveller sites in the Green Belt are ‘inappropriate development’.

Mr Luff said the new blueprint would mean greater consideration and weight must now be given to the protection of local services and the local environment before Traveller sites are developed.

The Government has also made clear that abuse of the planning system would not be tolerated and the guidelines would help councils in planning enforcement cases against unauthorised development.

Mr Luff said: “Reform to the planning system on Traveller sites was desperately needed and I know that these new guidelines will be welcomed in Worcestershire.

“I recognise that most Travellers do not cause a nuisance and go about their travelling lifestyle in way that does not result in significant disruption to the settled community.

“However, there have been unwelcome planning issues and other incidents over recent years around south Worcestershire that have bought the travelling community into conflict with other residents and local bodies,” he added.

The MP hoped the reforms would ‘put right’ the failings of the previous planning laws which he said had caused problems for councils and Travellers alike.

“I will be talking to both the local authorities and the police about the full local implications of these new planning guidelines,”

“I hope that the Government’s changes will promote a harmonious relationship in the future between Travellers and the settled community,” he added.