Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

Policy H6 in the approved Regional Spatial Strategy (the RSS) includes figures for additional permanent pitch provision for each of the four administrative sub regions based on a regional study carried out by CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University 2006. When this study was nearing completion the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) issued circular 1/2006, which requires the RSS to include targets for additional pitch provision for individual local planning authorities.

After completion of the study CLG issued circular 04/2007 Planning for Travelling Showpeople, which requires the RSS to provide targets for pitch provision for Travelling Showpeople. At the time, the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly decided it was better to complete the RSS with the information available at the time rather than delay adoption of the RSS to enable the requirements of these circulars to be complied with.

Policy H6 in the Approved RSS set a deadline of July 2008 for the completion of local assessments of the accommodation needs of Travelling communities. To meet the requirements of these two circulars, the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly commissioned SHUSU at the University of Salford with support form CURS at the University of Birmingham to review the evidence that underpins policy H6 and figures for pitches required. They did this review by a rough assessment and benchmarking of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs) that have been carried out in the region.

The final report of this work can be downloaded below. Local Government Yorkshire and Humber are now responsible for taking this work forward as part of their work on the RSS 2009 Update.

For further information please contact Andy Haigh: andy.haigh@lgyh.gov.uk or 01924 331 631.