Site planning
Planning for travellers
The main purpose of this assessment is to provide up-to-date information and data. It regards accommodation needs and requirements of the -
- gypsy
- traveller
- travelling show people
communities.
The Accommodation assessment - Final report shows the projection of permanent and transit accommodation requirements for 2012 to 2028.
Site improvements
Current provision
We need to increase the number of permanent pitches in the city, as well as creating a temporary stopping place. We reviewed sites across the city and identified land beside the river that will provide 10 new permanent pitches and a stopping site.
The Traveller site provision report to the Cabinet sets out the options and an agreed way forward.
Talks with the Gypsy and Traveller community on the Bedford and Wilmington sites took place in March and December 2020. We have also consulted with the wider community of businesses and residents. Detailed plans taking into account the feedback were developed for the planning application.
Site 1
Adding 10 new pitches to the existing Wilmington Park site. This is proposed as a new distinct site with a separate entrance from Bedford Street. These will be for the Gypsy and traveller community of the city. There is a waiting list for the Wilmington Park and Bedford Street sites. It may be that existing residents move into these new pitches. How they will be allocated has not yet been decided. The disused factory has been demolished. Construction can begin once there is a contractor is appointed.
Site 2
Creating a new Temporary Stopping Place on land accessed from Mount Pleasant. This will help us to manage the situation when travellers pitch unexpectedly on council land in the city. The proposed site will give us the option to move unauthorised encampments on to it. They will only be able to stay there a short period of time. The Temporary Stopping Place with a proposed 17 pitches is next to the permanent sites. It will have a separate entrance from Mount Pleasant. The site would not be suitable for permanent residency. It could only be used seasonally due to flood risk. The site is currently vacant and suffers from fly tipping. The plans will improve the poor environmental condition of the site for the community.
Part of the proposals will look at improving the landscape and boundaries to the sites.