4 hours Ago By BBC
The locations of 100 new Gypsy and traveller pitches which will address a council's need for plots have been chosen. South Gloucestershire Council has proposed "expanding or intensifying" dozens of existing sites and creating 14 new ones in the next 15 years. The council plans to safeguard greenbelt land in Pucklechurch and Hambrook for traveller communities to live on and has also identified new sites in policies set to be approved by its cabinet on 3 February.
The authority was criticised by a government planning inspector in 2022 for a "history of policy failure" by not providing enough land for the communities. The plots form part of the council's local plan, which is a blueprint for homes and jobs in the district, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said . The proposals also include 15 plots for travelling showpeople, who run fun fairs and mobile catering vans.
"The identified need for pitches in South Gloucestershire is 119 new pitches for Gypsies/travellers in the period 2022-2042," the document said. It said this comprised 76 private pitches and 43 for social need, which includes six new pitches at its existing Northwood Park site. Even with its proposed sites, the council still falls short of its assessed need.
It says this will be met through future individual planning applications or new sites that come forward. The plans will be voted on at full council next month and put out to consultation for six weeks before going to the Planning Inspectorate for public examination in 2026. Below are all the sites for Gypsies, travellers and showpeople: * indicates current greenbelt locations.
Existing safeguarded sites for Gypsies and Travellers: Sites for intensification for Gypsies and travellers (number of pitches): Sites for expansion for Gypsies and Travellers (number of pitches): New sites to meet identified social need for Gypsies and travellers (number of pitches): New sites to meet identified private need for Gypsies and travellers (number of pitches): Existing safeguarded sites for travelling showpeople: New site for travelling showpeople Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook , X and Instagram . Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630 . More on this story Related internet links.
