Councils to have more say on traveller sites

Planning restrictions and Whitehall guidance relating to the provision of traveller sites are being lifted, the Government has announced, in a move claimed to clear the way for a fairer way of providing pitches.

In new proposed planning guidelines, the Green Belt and countryside will have more robust protection, local councils will have more discretion, and local planning authorities will have a stronger hand in supporting appropriate development. Central guidance to councils on compulsorily purchasing land for travellers sites will be removed, and top-down Whitehall planning rules, which Ministers believe were counterproductive, will be abolished.

According to Communities and Local Government (CLG), ministers believe planning regulations have seriously harmed community relations over the last few years, by imposing targets for traveller sites on local councils, increasing the number of unauthorised sites, and compelling councils to encroach onto the Green Belt. At the same time the old planning rules created a perception of special treatment for some groups, undermining the notion of 'fair play' in the planning system and further harming community cohesion.

"Top-down planning diktats led to the worst of both worlds – more unauthorised sites and worsening community relations. It's time for fair play in the planning system - standing up for those who play by the rules, and tougher action for those who abuse and play the system,” said Secretary of State for the CLG, Eric Pickles.

"We are giving councils the power and discretion to protect the environment and help rebuild community relations. Clearer planning guidelines will make the planning system easier for all to understand. A small minority may still try to abuse the system. Councils should be particularly vigilant over the extended Royal Wedding and Easter weekends to take firm action against anyone who tries."

Outlining the support for authorised sites in the Government's new approach, Communities Minister
Andrew Stunell added: “The majority of travellers are law-abiding citizens and they should be given the same opportunities as everyone else to live in a safe place where they can bring up their children.

"The New Homes Bonus and £60 million of site grants will support councils to build and plan new official sites. We will also give law-abiding travellers better protection against eviction and the same rights and responsibilities as residents on other mobile home sites. We want to ensure a smooth transition to the new system - so the Government will also help provide training opportunities for councillors about their new role."

The new planning policy will give councils the freedom and responsibility to determine the right level of traveller site provision in their area, in consultation with local communities, while ensuring fairness in the planning system. It sits within a broader package of reforms to abolish the last Government's Regional Strategies and return planning powers to councils and communities.

Ministers believe that local planning authorities are best placed to know the needs of their communities, not unelected regional bodies. In line with other reforms to streamline the planning system, the new Planning Policy Statement will be a much shorter and clearer document that will be easier for councils and also members of the public to use effectively.

Measures to improve the provision of traveller sites include:
•Stronger enforcement powers for councils – strengthened enforcement powers will be made available to councils so they can tackle unauthorised development more effectively, helping to reduce community tensions. This will include action against speculative, unscrupulous private developers. A number of measures are already included in Localism Bill.
•Stronger powers for councils to limit the opportunities for retrospective planning applications – strengthened powers will help councils tackle any form of unauthorised development. Mr Pickles is calling on councils to be vigilant over the upcoming bank holiday weekends - including the extended Royal Wedding and Easter weekends - so there is no abuse of the planning system and retrospective planning applications.
•Dale Farm funding – Ministers have confirmed today that the department will provide up to £1.2 million for Basildon Council to clear the unauthorised pitches on the Green Belt at the Dale Farm traveller site, given the exceptional nature of the case.
•Stronger rights for residents of authorised council sites – travellers on official council sites will benefit from changes to legislation that will give them the same protection against eviction as residents on other mobile home sites and other rights and responsibilities. At the same time councils will be able to take swift action against any travellers who flout the terms of their pitch agreements and they will be able to obtain possessions orders with less risk of legal challenge.
•New incentives to build authorised sites – councils will be given incentives through the New Homes Bonus scheme to deliver new housing. This will include authorised traveller site so that councils will get financial benefits for providing sites where they are needed.
•Pitch Funding – the Government is providing £60 million of funding that councils and other registered providers can use to provide new authorised sites for travellers. Councils and other registered providers can apply to the Home and Communities Agency to use the funding.
•Training for councillors – the Government will provide £50,000 to support training for councillors about their leadership role in relation to traveller site provision and planning applications for sites. The funding will support the work of the body, Local Government Improvement and Development.