Review of policy over number of South Staffordshire gipsy sites
An MP has challenged ministers over the number of gipsy and traveller sites within his constituency – and the Government has said it is now reviewing its policy.
South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson called on the Department for Communities and Local Government to explain what it is doing to ensure pitches are provided more evenly across nearby areas.
He also asked the department what action it is taking to gain a more accurate representation of gipsy and traveller numbers in the district. Responding to Mr Williamson, Brandon Lewis
MP, the department's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, said: "We are currently reviewing the associated practice guidance on traveller site provision.
"The Localism Act 2011 introduced a duty to co-operate, and we would encourage local authorities to work constructively with their neighbours on all aspects of planning." Mr Lewis also confirmed the Department's intention to consider the case for changes to the planning definition of travellers to refer only to those who 'actually travel and have a mobile or transitory lifestyle'.
He added: "All we are asking for is that the provision of gipsy and traveller pitches is balanced across all local areas and that any applications are dealt with equitably."
A report published by Salford University in 2008, titled the South Staffordshire and Northern Warwickshire Gipsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment, found that South Staffordshire had a total of 88 pitches, compared to 44 in Cannock Chase, 25 in North Warwickshire, two in Lichfield and none in Tamworth. Furthermore, the study claimed there was a need to more than double number of pitches provided within the constituency by 2028.
