From Brighton and Hove City Council
Unauthorised encampment of Travellers and Gypsies on land at Surrenden Field - We will be visiting this site with the police this morning to carry out a community impact assessment to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Unauthorised encampment of Travellers and Gypsies on land in Wild Park - We have visited this site with the police. We are now seeking possession of this land. We will be applying to the County Court for a Possession Order which will enable us to arrange for an eviction to be carried out as soon as practicable, should the families fail to leave the site voluntarily. Read our statement.
Unauthorised encampment of lived-in vehicles on land adjacent Racehill allotments - We have visited this site with the police. We are negotiating a leaving date with the occupants of this encampment, so as to avoid a costly formal eviction.
Brighton & Hove Traveller Strategy
Our Traveller Strategy sets out how the council balances the needs of traveller communities with those of the city’s settled communities.
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.
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 agreed the council should 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 its 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 approved by 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
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.
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