Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Alistair Bradley presented Members of the Council with a report on the revised Central Lancashire Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) from June 2015.

The Leader explained that a revised draft GTAA published in May 2015  identified a need for 11 permanent pitches for Travellers in Chorley Borough, (an additional 6 to the 5 being progressed through the Chorley Local Plan 2012-26) 22 in Preston, 1 in South Ribble and a Central Lancashire wide need for 4 transit pitches to 2026. Following discussions and clarifications sought from the Council, this figure has been revised down to a need for 10 permanent pitches. In addition, It is understood that pitch requirement may be challenged by the local traveller community and that their position is that the Assessment may overstate the number of pitches needed to be provided. Local Circumstances is a relevant factor for considering the appropriate provision.

Since then, the Government had announced that they will be reviewing guidance on GTAA provision and so the Leader had written to Central Government to seek further clarification and some certainty before agreeing  final provision. In view of this, the Leader asked that the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Council in September.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of the Council proposed, Councillor Paul Walmsley, Executive Member for Public Protection seconded and it was RESOLVED – That consideration of the Assessment Document and the progression of the Traveller Local Plan be deferred to the next Council meeting. 

Report of Chief Executive. 

1.         The findings of the GTAA were noted.

2.         The proposal at paragraph 44 that Council will be asked to approve that officers undertake further work to ascertain when the government’s revised guidance on Travellers is likely to be issued and to explore the issue of ‘local circumstances’ that may apply to Chorley Borough was noted.

As there were members of the public present for this item the Executive Leader agreed to take this item of business first.

The report of the Chief Executive was presented by the Executive Leader and Executive Member (Economic Development and Partnerships). The report informed members about the revised Central Lancashire Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) – May 2015.

Chorley’s permanent Travelling pitch need figure of 11 was largely based on the Traveller Community currently residing at Hut Lane projected forward to 2026 (the emerging Chorley Local Plan period). The prescribed model took their presence as a current indication of need for a permanent site.  Given that the current local Plan would allocate 5 permanent pitches at Cowling Farm, the remaining 6 would need to be allocated through a Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.Development Plan Document (DPD).

The Council would progress a permanent site for a minimum of 5 Traveller pitches through its Local Plan. A report recommending the endorsement of the Inspector’s Minded Modifications and the adoption of the Local Plan would be presented to Council on 21 July.

Chorley’s remaining 6 permanent Traveller pitches and any additional ‘need’ across Central Lancashire would be explored through a Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople DPD.

A public consultation on an Issues and Options version of this document would invite comment on the study methodology and identify key issues that had to be addressed by the plan.

Members noted the recommendation that officers undertake further work to ascertain when the government’s revised guidance on Travellers was likely to be issued and to explore the issue of ‘local circumstances’ that might apply to Chorley Borough.

Decision:

1.         The findings of the GTAA were noted.

2.         The proposal at paragraph 44 that Council would be asked to approve that officers undertake further work to ascertain when the government’s revised guidance on Travellers was likely to be issued and to explore the issue of ‘local circumstances’ that might apply to Chorley Borough was noted.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

The GTAA provided an up to date assessment of the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople’s housing needs in the Central Lancashire area. Its findings inform the approach taken to cover this issue in Local Plans and it formed part of the evidence base behind the Central Lancashire Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Local Plan.

Alternative option(s) considered and rejected

Failure to undertake a GTAA and progress a local plan to allocate sufficient land to meet the identified need for new pitches would be contrary to national planning policy guidance.