Consultation launched on Gypsy and Traveller sites - Sussex

From the West Sussex County Times

As part of the planning strategy for the Horsham district, Horsham District Council is publishing the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Sites document for public consultation.

Once agreed, the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Sites document will seek to safeguard existing sites with planning permission and identify suitable sites for permanent use to fulfil the existing identified need.

It will also provide some flexibility in terms of numbers and timing to allow the council to carry out an up to date needs survey, set formal targets and develop a new strategic policy through the Horsham District Planning Framework.

This document is at the ‘Preferred Options’ stage and was published for an eight week consultation period on Sunday July 6.

Any comments submitted, which must be received by 4pm on Friday August 31, will be analysed and considered before the next formal stage of the process.

A Sustainability Appraisal background document is also being published for consultation in support of the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Sites document.

To be notified of the next stages of the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Sites Development Plan Document, please provide appropriate contact details when making comments.

A Proposed Submission document is anticipated early 2013, with a Submission Document to be considered by an independent inspector anticipated in summer 2013.

There are three ways in which comments can be submitted: electronically on the dedicated website, on the representation form available from HDC or by email to strategic.planning@horsham.gov.uk

Ian Howard, HDC’s cabinet member for living and working communities, said: “All too often the lack of provision of suitable sites is the cause of difficulties between Gypsies and Travellers and the settled community.

“We are seeking through this document to allocate sites in an open and plan led way rather than seeing sites come forward through the planning appeal process.”