Runnymede Travellers’ Accommodation Assessment - Surrey

From Runnymede Borough Council

The Council is required to assess the accommodation needs of their travelling community to comply with the Government’s ‘Planning policy for Traveller sites’ (DCLG, March 2012) and Section 225 of the 2004 Housing Act.

Prior to the publication of the Planning policy for Traveller sites, the number of pitches for the travelling community that each local authority needed to provide was to be determined at the regional level by Regional Planning Bodies (RPBs) and through the preparation of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs).

In the South East, this was to be determined by a single issue review of the South East Plan on the provision for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people sites which was being led by the South East England Partnership Board (SEEPB). It was based on the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs) that had been undertaken by each Local Authority or group of Local Authorities. In Surrey, there were three GTAAs produced: West, East and North. Runnymede fell within the area covered by the North Surrey GTAA (April 2007).

However, prior to the recommendations of an Independent Panel of Government Inspectors being published, which would have set out how many pitches each local Planning Authority in the South East would need to provide, the Coalition Government came to power and sought to revoke RSSs (i.e. the South East Plan) including the Partial Review of Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation.

As set out in the Planning policy for Traveller sites, it is now the responsibility of the local authorities to identify the number of Travellers’ pitches /plots that will be required based on local needs assessments.

The Surrey Methodology

In light of these issues and the Planning policy statement for Traveller sites, the 11 Boroughs and Districts in Surrey have jointly prepared a methodology to aid the assessment of Travellers’ accommodation needs Surrey. It is hoped that the use of this methodology will ensure a consistent approach across the county when undertaking a TAA.

It should be noted that the methodology has also been formulated in consultation with representatives of the travelling community and Travellers themselves who reside in Surrey. The Surrey Methodology can be accessed using the following link.

‘Preparing Travellers’ Accommodation Assessments (TAAs)-The Surrey Approach’ (April 2012)

Where are we currently?

Using the Surrey methodology, Runnymede has now commenced work on its TAA. Once completed, the TAA will form part of the evidence of Travellers’ accommodation needs in the Borough up to 2026. It is hoped that the work will also provide a clearer understanding of the specific accommodation issues that face Travellers in Runnymede, and, when considered alongside the TAAs produced by other Surrey Boroughs, give a better understanding of the needs across Surrey more widely.

The Council has recently employed Friends, Families and Travellers to carry out face to face interviews with the Borough’s Travelling community as part of the TAA work. The responses to these interviews will help the Council assess what the accommodation needs of the Borough’s Travellers will be over the course of the Local Plan (2011-2026). The interviews will take place during March and April 2013.

TAA interview process- information leaflet

Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) is a national charity that has nearly 20 years experience of working with Gypsies and Travellers regardless of ethnicity, culture or background. More information about FFT can be found on their website at http://www.gypsy-Traveller.org/

If you would like to be included in the interview process or if you have any friends or family living in the Borough who might be interested in taking part, please contact Georgina Pacey in the Planning department on 01932 425248 or email ldf@runnymede.gov.uk. If general advice is sought on the TAA work, please use the above contact details also.

Looking into the future

Depending of the findings of the TAA, additional provision for Travellers in the Borough may need to be made. The locations for additional provision would be identified in a ‘Gypsy and Traveller Sites DPD’. This is in line with the approach outlined in the Council’s draft Local Plan Core Strategy; specifically in Strategic Policy SP03: Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people.