Gypsy and Traveller report to be considered by council (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Gypsy and Traveller report to be considered by council

8:20am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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Six possible sites have been identified for allocation as gypsy or traveller sites in North Wiltshire.

The potential sites are:

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• Abberd Lane - Calne,
• Oxford Road - Calne,
• Long Close & Hardens Mead - Chippenham,
• Marlborough Road - Wootton Bassett,
• Stanley Lane - Chippenham
• Stoneover Lane - Wootton Bassett.

The sites were chosen after the Government issued planning guidance which states the need to make proper provision for gypsies and travellers and allocated £250,000 to North Wiltshire District Council to assist with the provision.

A recent survey commissioned by the council identified a need for 24 permanent gypsy and traveller pitches in the district.

The possible sites have all had to be assessed against strict criteria which includes; respect for the existing environment, environmental impact, possible flood risk, good vehicular access, on-site parking and the use of brownfield sites or land that is currently untidy or derelict.

The Lead Member for Waste and Sustainability at North Wiltshire District Council, Cllr Toby Sturgis, says, "This report has been produced simply to identify a site in public ownership that would be suitable for the provision of a permanent gypsy and traveller site. We now need to establish the viability of the sites. The government has made it clear we have to make provision for gypsy and traveller sites and if we fail to make that provision within a reasonable timescale it will severely undermine the council's ability to control unauthorised developments of this nature within the open countryside".

The Gypsy and Traveller Site Provision report is to be considered by the Executive this Thursday evening.

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