Issue - items at meetings - Selection of Location for a Permanent Traveller Site to go Forward for Planning Application

Report of the Strategic Director; Place (copy attached).

(1)               That the outcome of the site selection process, the further assessment of shortlisted sites be noted and Horsdean be endorsed as the preferred location for a new permanent Traveller site;

(2)               That the making of the appropriate planning application in relation to (1) above be approved;

(3)               That, subject to the grant of the necessary planning permission, the granting of Landlord’s consent for the use of the land at Horsdean for a permanent Travellers Site for 16 pitches be approved;

(4)               That a period of public consultation on the preferred site, to consider the views of both local residents and the needs of Travellers be approved; and

(5)               That officers be authorised to contact the Homes and Communities Agency and seek formal confirmation that the capital grant funding from the government for the provision of the site can be used at the new location.

223.1    Councillor West introduced the report which outlined the proposals to meet the requirements of the Housing Act 2004, which required local authorities to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers and to have a strategy that meets those needs.  Councillor West stated that he was pleased to present the report and believed the proposed extension of Horsdean to provide a permanent site was the best option.  He was aware that part of the area fell within the National Park boundary and stated that officers had worked with the National Park Authority to ensure that the park’s character was maintained.  He also noted that should the report be approved there would be a full consultation process.

223.2    Councillor Mitchell stated that she fully supported the proposal and praised the Administration for taking the process forward and making the information available.  She believed it was the right approach but urged caution in needing to ensure costs for both sites were monitored effectively.  She also noted that it was not likely to prevent other incursions in the city but felt that it was a step forward.

223.3    Councillor G. Theobald stated that he felt the number of incursions throughout the city would increase as a result and did not believe that the site should be within the National Park’s boundary.  He was unsure as to whether planning permission would be granted and felt that the selection process had been inadequate and that the permanent site should be located elsewhere.

223.4    Councillor West noted the comments and stated that there would be a need to address landscaping issues so that the two sites were separated and that the rents would need to be reasonable.  He believed that there would be further improvements as a result of locating the permanent site at Horsdean and that it was the best solution.

223.5    The Chair stated that he believed it was a step forward but recognised that it would not solve all the problems by itself.  He then put the recommendations to the vote.

223.6    RESOLVED:

(1)         That the outcome of the site selection process, the further assessment of shortlisted sites be noted and Horsdean be endorsed as the preferred location for a new permanent Traveller site;

(2)         That the making of the appropriate planning application in relation to (1) above be approved;

(3)         That, subject to the grant of the necessary planning permission, the granting of Landlord’s consent for the use of the land at Horsdean for a permanent Travellers Site for 16 pitches be approved;

(4)         That a period of public consultation on the preferred site, to consider the views of both local residents and the needs of Travellers be approved; and

(5)         That officers be authorised to contact the Homes and Communities Agency and seek formal confirmation that the capital grant funding from the government for the provision of the site can be used at the new location.