Agenda item

The Head of Regulatory Services to submit a report addressing the findings of the Leicester City and Leicestershire Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment (GTAA 2017) and representations raised in relation to Policy C6: Gypsies and Travellers.

The Chairman of the Melton Local Plan Working Group, Councillor Chandler presented the report prepared by the Head of Regulatory Services the purpose of which was to outline the findings and implications of new evidence contained in the Leicester City and Leicestershire Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people Accommodation Assessment (GTAA 2017).  It also summarised the key matters raised in representations received to draft Policy C6: Gypsies and Travellers of the Pre Submission Draft Melton Local Plan, and suggested responses to the representations in the light of the new evidence.  The final section of the report set out the resulting proposed focussed change to draft Policy C6 and its supporting reasoned justification.

Councillor Chandler advised

•           that the findings of the GTAAA 2017 on permanent pitch requirements were unchanged from those in the draft version of the GTAA 2016 (as cited in the Pre Submission Draft Local Plan).  Melton’s permanent pitch requirement from April 2016 to March 2021 was 2 permanent residential pitches, and between April 2021 and March 2026, it was 1 permanent residential pitch.  There was no further requirement for any permanent pitches from April 2026 to 2036 in the Borough following recent permissions;

•           if subsequent GTAA reviews established an unmet need (or the planning permissions were not implemented), a review of this policy would be carried out;

•           for public transit pitch provision, the GTAA 2017 had identified a current need for a minimum of 36 caravan spaces spread over 2 to 3 sites in Leicestershire (or the managed equivalent e.g. through Negotiated Stopping Agreements rather than infrastructure provision).  This would be dealt with via a countywide project group;

•           a regular review of Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people permanent pitch and plot requirements (including transit pitch requirements) will be undertaken.  The most recent GTAA would be used to identify pitch and plot requirements and where a need was found, steps would be taken to deliver sites;

•           the GTAA together with the criteria within the most up to date national Planning Policy for Traveller Sites would be used as a basis for determining windfall planning applications.

Councillor Chandler moved the recommendations numbered (i) to (iii) in the report and this was seconded by Councillor Illingworth.  In support of the motion, the Deputy Leader highlighted the importance of having robust measures in place to deal with unauthorised encampments as this could involve a very costly legal process.

Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the Leicester City and Leicestershire Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Show people Accommodation Assessment (GTAA 2017) be accepted as evidence to inform the production of the Local Plan, and that it be published alongside a proposed ‘Addendum of Focussed Changes’;

(2)  the detailed responses to representations, taking account of this new evidence, be agreed (Appendix 1);

(3)  the proposed change to Section 5.10 of the draft local plan, including Policy C6, as set out in the Focused Changes Appendices (item 3I of this agenda), be agreed as part of a consultation on an Addendum of Focussed Changes to the Draft Melton Local Plan (para 3.6.9. of the report refers).