There has been a lot of comment about creating more Traveller and Gypsy sites. How has this come about?
It is a Government requirement for councils to carry out an assessment of housing needs in their area. This now has to include assessments for the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers. The Government advice in Circular 01/2006 says that councils such as Hertsmere have to ensure that through their plan-making process, sites are identified for Gypsies and Travellers to meet any requirements which have been identified in this housing needs assessment. Independent research published by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the East of England Regional Assembly found that the East of England needed 1,220 more caravan pitches for Gypsies and Travellers by 2011. The report also found that the shortage of sites had contributed to the problem of unauthorised caravan pitches. Therefore local authorities have been asked to come up with solutions on how to meet this need. Options available include extending existing sites or identifying land for new sites.
There has been a lot of comment about creating more Traveller and Gypsy sites. How has this come about?