Consultation launched on Travellers sites - Moray

From the Forres Gazette

MORAY Council is looking for the views of the public on their proposed guidance regarding Traveller sites in the area.

The Environmental Services Department have published a consultation document on how current planning policies might apply in the case of proposals for Traveller sites.

The lack of current specific planning policy on this subject has been highlighted during the consideration of a planning application for a site, and will be addressed in the preparation of the new Local Development Plan.

"It’s important that the council has effective policies in place to consider applications from travelling communities as this has been highlighted as lacking in the past," said chairman of the planning and regulatory services committee, Douglas Ross.

"This proposed policy guidance simply states how we would consider any application. I’m very keen to hear the views from across Moray with regard to these proposals as they will have an impact on both the travelling and the settled communities and both should have an input to the formulation of this updated guidance."

It could be two years yet before this is complete so, in the interim, policy interpretation guidance has been drafted to show how existing policies could be used in such instances.

A two-month consultation period started on March 15, with a closing date of May 10 for comments to be submitted. All responses received will be reported to and considered by the planning and regulatory services committee before the final content of the guidance is approved.

The guidance would then become a material consideration in the consideration of any planning proposals for Traveller sites.

"At committee we have agreed to wait until the public have given their views on what has been drafted before we agree the contents but members were in agreement that any application for a Travellers site, no matter how big or small, should always come to committee for a decision rather than being decided by officers. The other area we asked to be considered in the consultation was the possibility of setting buffer zones for Traveller sites from settlement boundaries.

"I’m keen that these options and the draft guidelines are considered in detail by as many people as possible before the committee confirms the guidance later in the year."

The document can be viewed at all council libraries and access points and is available on line at www.moray.gov.uk/planningguidance

Comments can be submitted using the online response form, pdf form or by e mail to developmentplan@moray.co.uk ; or in writing to The Development Plan Team, Department of Environmental Services, Moray Council, High Street Elgin IV30 4DJ.
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