A response to the government’s proposed changes to the National Planning and Policy Framework (NPPF) has warned that without further safeguards, the changes could lead to unintended consequences for the Gypsy and Traveller communities, despite their already being “among the most prejudiced against and deprived communities in Britain.”
This consultation submission has been drafted on behalf of GATEHerts by planner Michael Hargreaves and supported by MFC. It is part of a sector-wide drive towards amplifying the voices of Romany, Irish Traveller and nomadic communities, which included work by DGLG (funded by ERGO) in the form of a series of workshops, along with that of other members of the MfC Network.
The submission points out that the creation of so-called “grey belt” sites, on the green belt areas previously allocated to Gypsy and Traveller sites, risks making these sites unaffordable for all but the most affluent Gypsies, as well as potentially cutting off these sites from Gypsies and Travellers as local planning authorities opt to use them for housing and business.
Citing the decades of legislation that have caused the accommodation crisis among Gypsies and Travellers to be substantially worse than within the housed population, as well as the high levels of depression and suicide within the communities, the reports calls for:
• The Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPfTS) to be amended to make it consistent with the new NPPF proposals and not be used to refuse planning applications;
• A reintroduction of the local authority duty to provide Gypsy and Traveller sites;
• Changing the definition of “Gypsy” and “Traveller” for planning purposes;
• Placing responsibility for provision for Gypsies and Travellers at the strategic level.
“Addressing the accommodation crisis among Gypsy people does not just require unblocking the barriers in the planning system to render the planning system less punitive and discriminatory,” the report goes on to say. “It is essential it is complemented by reversing the decline in the social rented sector. For 35 years social rented sites have been neglected and run down. The number of pitches has not increased. When funds were available, local authorities did not take them up. Management is often poor and inadequate.”
To take a look at the response, click here.
The deadline for responses to the government’s NPPF proposals is 23:45 on Tuesday 24th September 2024. Both Moving For Change and Gate Herts are urging all and any members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities to add their opinions via Citzenspace by clicking here.
