Decision details

The purpose of this report is to consider the results of the consultation on the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document Issues and Options 2 - Site Options and Policies, and its supporting documents. The expectation by this time was that the Government would have published the draft Localism Bill, and provided the promised new guidance regarding planning for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation. This has not been the case. Therefore the report is focused on identifying which sites are no longer site options as a result of issues raised in the consultation, and to outline the next steps in the plan making process.

Council RESOLVED to:

(a)               approve the Issues and Options Report 1: General Approach, as set out in Appendix 1, including:

(i)                 the amendments made by the Member Reference Group contained in Appendix 4;

(ii)                the recommendations set out in the paper “Additional information for the GTDPD Issues and Options Report 1: General Approach”; and

(iii)              the inclusion of the words “and caravan count” to the conclusion of the definition of Gypsy and Traveller in the glossary;

(b)               approve the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal, a summary of which is appended to the Issues and Options report at Appendix 1;

(c)               approve that the Issues and Options Report 1: General Approach along with the Sustainability Appraisal can be taken forward for public consultation as set out in the timetable at paragraph 10; and

(d)               delegate to the Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder any editing changes to the above consultation documents.