Brighton & Hove Traveller Strategy

From Brighton and Hove City Council

Travellers
Brighton & Hove is mainly visited by Irish Travellers, English Gypsies and New Travellers. Nomadic life is not illegal, and Travellers have a basic right to this way of life. The council recognises that this has to be balanced with the rights of the general public to enjoy private and public land.

Brighton & Hove Traveller Strategy

The Horsdean Traveller Site is one of the few transit sites for Travellers in the country. The council takes action against unauthorised sites in line with our Traveller strategy.

We have identified a need for residential accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers in the city and, in line with our policy for managing unauthorised encampments, we want to build a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site with good facilities.

View or download our current Brighton & Hove's Traveller Strategy [PDF 153kb]
Survey points to Horsdean as appropriate location for permanent Traveller site

A location for a permanent Traveller site in Brighton & Hove has been proposed following an extensive selection process. A survey was carried out at 50 locations under terms jointly agreed by officers from Brighton & Hove City Council and the South Downs National Park Authority. On 15 March cabinet will now be considering the recommendation to submit a planning application for a permanent Traveller site at Horsdean.

A £1.7m government grant to develop a permanent Traveller site is expected to cover the cost of the development, which would have pitches to house 16 families. Travellers living on the site will pay rent and council tax.

As part of the new Traveller Commissioning Strategy 2012 residents and Travellers were extensively consulted. The council will balance it’s responsibility to local residents who want to enjoy the city’s parks and spaces with the needs of the Traveller community. Amongst some of the proposals are a new Brighton & Hove Traveller forum to bring together Travellers and service providers, a dedicated site manager at the Horsdean site and continuing protection of sensitive sites.

Read our press release, questions and answers and the report going to cabinet to find out more.

Previous proposal for Gypsy and Traveller site in Sheepcote Valley

Land at Sheepcote Valley, off Wilson Avenue, was identified as our preferred location for a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site in August 2008. However,the site was found to be unsuitable. Rigorous testing by inspectors found that the former landfill site was not suitable because of the level of contamination and the related clean up costs.

As a result, we are no longer proposing a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site at Sheepcote Valley.

Traveller Liaison Service update – last updated Monday 2 April

Unauthorised encampment of Travellers on land at Greenleas Recreation Ground, Hangleton - A joint visit, with the police, was made to the site on Friday 30 March. We will be visiting this site again today, to further assess the situation, following reports received over the weekend. Whilst this encampment remains we will continue to monitor the site with the police.

Unauthorised encampment of Travellers on land adjacent to Ditchling Road, south of Hollingbury golf course - We have visited this site with the police. A possession hearing for this land will take place in the County Court on Tuesday 3 April. Whilst this encampment remains we will continue to monitor the site with the police.

Unauthorised encampment of Travellers on land in East Brighton Park - We have visited this site with the police. We have negotiated a leaving date with the group so as to avoid a costly formal eviction, and disruption to the education of the children on site; the group has agreed to leave the park voluntarily after the Easter Monday holiday. Whilst this encampment remains we will continue to monitor the site with the police.

Unauthorised encampment of Travellers at 19 Acres, land adjacent to Devil's Dyke Road - We have visited this site with the police. A Possession Order for this land was obtained in the County Court on Thursday 8 March, with the agreement that the council will not enforce this until after the Easter Monday holiday. Whilst this encampment remains we will continue to monitor the site with the police.

Traveller Liaison service

Since 2001, Brighton & Hove City Council and the police have been working in partnership to manage unauthorised Traveller encampments within the city, and minimise conflict and nuisance.

Find out more about how the Traveller Liaison Team work to manage unauthorised encampments within the city.

Traveller Liaison services include:

liaison with the settled community
provision of advice and support to landowners and the public
management of the Horsdean Traveller Site
support in helping Travellers access services such as health and education

The Traveller Liaison Service has teachers and home or school support staff who can help with attendance issues and supporting Gypsy or Traveller children whilst they are in schools.

To contact the Traveller Liaison Team, please phone (01273) 292044 or email travellers@brighton-hove.gov.uk.