Cheshire East Council pledges to help find housing for Travellers

From the Crewe Chronicle

CHESHIRE East Council has vowed to work more closely with both the private sector and registered social landlords to address the housing needs of Gypsies and Travellers.

The council, which on Thursday (April 19) withdrew its planning application for a site on Parkers Road in Crewe, is studying the Government’s new planning policy for Traveller sites, which gives greater scope for local authorities to carry out their own assessments of site provision.

Cllr Rachel Bailey, cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “The Parkers Road application has been withdrawn to enable us to take stock of the new guidance and formulate a new approach.

“I would like to stress that the decision to withdraw the application has not disadvantaged Gypsies and Travellers in Cheshire East. Our aim is to work with the Gypsy and Traveller community and local residents to find a sustainable solution to the shortage in sites.”

Cllr Michael Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for resources, said: “The guidance has given us the opportunity to explore new innovative working relationships in the delivery of sites.

“We need to provide more Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the same way we need to increase the number of new homes that are built. Therefore, it makes sense that we work with the same partners – namely the private sector and registered social landlords.”