Agenda item

The purpose of the report was to consider the Scope and Options for the North Northamptonshire Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, the associated Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report and Equality Screening Assessment for public consultation. This was the first stage of public consultation as the Local Plan progressed towards adoption.

The report also presented revisions to the Local Development Scheme for endorsement ahead of a full review by the Panel in the Summer and subsequent presentation to the Executive and to Full Council for adoption.

The Council was required to identify the needs of Gypsy and Travellers in the area, and to plan to meet those needs through its Local Plan. Full Council on 31 March 2022 approved a Local Development Scheme, which included provision for the preparation of a Local Plan to address the accommodation needs of gypsy and travellers across North Northamptonshire.

The Plan would provide planning policies and site allocations to meet the identified needs for Gypsy and Travellers and ensure high standards of design, development and living conditions. Ensuring the provision of good quality and a sufficient supply of accommodation was key to addressing some of the disparities and inequalities faced by the Gypsy and Traveller community.  In addition, it would strengthen the Council’s ability to use effective enforcement powers.

The Plan would be developed through engagement with local communities and stakeholders, including representatives of Gypsy and Traveller bodies and planning agents, in accordance with the adopted Statement of Community Involvement and legislative requirements for consultation, combining what evidence was telling the Council about the needs of Gypsy and Travellers, what people want to see happen in their local area, and how the Council could best make provision for this through a clear development strategy across North Northamptonshire.

To ensure plans were prepared on a sound basis, local planning authorities were required to undertake consultation at the start of the process in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) which specified that, as part of the plan preparation process, representations must be invited on what the Local Plan ought to contain.

With regard to the location of transit sites and temporary stopping places, Councillor North suggested that these need to align with the traditional routes used by gypsies and travellers when entering or passing through the area. There was more likelihood of such sites and places being used if they were concurrent with directions of travel.

Councillor North also suggested that there needed to be wider advertisement of the consultation process and clear information what the document related to and what it did not cover.

Councillor Brackenbury reminded the Panel that future changes to Government policy may impact on this matter.

Councillor Bone noted that under consultation it proposed that planning officers would be available during office hours to deal with telephone and email enquiries from the public; Councillor Bone wondered whether that was sustainable. Officers confirmed staffing resource would be made available to deal with enquiries in a timely manner. Officers further confirmed that consultation arrangements were currently being finalised.

In conclusion, the Panel agreed for the documents to go forward for consultation.

RESOLVED that: -

(i)      The Scope and Options for the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan as attached to the report at Appendix A be noted and approved, to be published, with or without revisions, for public consultation alongside the associated Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report and Equality Screening Assessment attached to the report at Appendix B and Appendix C respectively; and

(ii)     Revisions to the Local Development Scheme be endorsed for publication ahead of a full review by the Panel during the Summer, and subsequent presentation to the Executive and Full Council.