Decision details

Report of Stage 1 Investigation of feasibility of Gypsy and Traveller site on Watchmoor Nature reserve

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Executive was reminded that, at its meeting on 15 September 2020, it had agreed to undertake an initial feasibility study to explore the possibility of delivering a Gypsy and Traveller site on land at Watchmoor Reserve. Since this meeting a number of studies had been commissioned and a desktop survey of information held by the Council had also been undertaken alongside this work.  The key findings of the work undertaken to date, as detailed in the report, were noted and, in view of the issues identified on the site, it was recommended that no further work be undertaken on the use of land at Watchmoor Reserve as a Gypsy and Traveller site.

 

Members were reminded that The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) undertaken in 2019 had identified a need for 35 new Gypsy and Traveller pitches and 12 new Travelling Showpeople plots in the Borough over the next 18 years. With 24 plots needed in the first 5 years for Gypsies and Traveller and 8 plots needed for Travelling Showpeople, there was an urgent need for action. Furthermore, without some provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites and pitches, the emerging Local Plan was unlikely to be found sound at Examination. It was agreed that the Chief Executive would write to all councillors detailing the risks to the borough of failing to identify sites and having an unsound Local Plan.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(i)        the work undertaken to date and the issues identified be noted;

 

(ii)      in light of the issues identified, no further work be undertaken on use of the land at Watchmoor Reserve as a Gypsy and Traveller site; and

 

(iii)     the Chief Executive be asked to write to all councillors detailing the implications of not identifying Gypsy and Traveller sites as part of the Local Plan work. 

 

 

Report author: Jenny Rickard

Publication date: 07/06/2021

Date of decision: 25/05/2021

Decided at meeting: 25/05/2021 - Executive

Accompanying Documents: