In July 2009 The Government Office for the East of England published a review document regarding 'Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Show people in the East of England'. The results of this document mean that the Council has to provide for a minimum of 40 pitches by 2031; two existing authorised pitches, plus a minimum of 20 additional pitches by 2011 and an increase of 18 pitches between 2011 and 2031.
Sites for permanent and temporary gypsy and traveller accommodation will be identified in Area Action Plans for Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill and the Rural Site Allocations DPD after consultation with the community and all interested parties.
It is important that sites are identified and allocated in development plans to ensure that we are providing the right number of authorised pitches in appropriate locations. This will address the shortage of pitches and reduce the number of unauthorised sites without proper planning permission and provide a level of certainty for the travelling population in terms of where they are able to live.
Sites suggested to the council, along with any identified through the Borough Council Gypsy and Traveller working group, will be used to help the council identify preferred locations. These sites will be consulted on in a separate document in early summer 2010.
The criteria which will be used to inform the selection of sites is included within the Rural Site Allocations Preferred Options document. Submitting sites for consideration: If you have any suggestions for suitable sites for Gypsies, Travellers or Travelling Showpeople please download the Site submission form (Word 205Kb) to complete electronically or print off the Site submission form (PDF 106Kb) which contains all the details of the information required.
Please submit all forms by 5pm on 10 June 2010.
