A survey has shown that there is a shortage of sites for Gypsies and Travellers in the eastern region. Within St Edmundsbury the borough council needs to find space for 15 pitches - these could be spread across several small, family-sized sites.
The borough council is writing to a wide range of individuals and organisations to ask for help in identifying suitable land. Letters are being sent to parish councils, housing providers, major landowners (including Suffolk County Council), estate agents, country associations, farmers and representatives from the Gypsy and Travellers' community.
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, Cabinet member for community and chairman of a working party set up specifically for this issue, said:
"As a borough council we do not have any list of potential sites so we are asking our community to come up with suggestions. This is part of the Government's affordable housing requirement - Gypsies and Travellers have the same rights to housing as those who live in the settled community. Meeting this need will help to prevent more unauthorised sites being used or developed illegally. I believe that having well-managed, authorised sites will also help to improve community relations and cut the cost of expensive enforcement action."
The letter is being sent out this week and people are asked to respond by December. The working party will then look at options and present them to Cabinet early next year.
ENDS
ISSUED BY MARIANNE HULLAND, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757034. marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
