Policy information sourced from the Barking & Dagenham Local Plan

DMH 6 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation

1.

The Council will endeavour to meet the identified current and future accommodation needs of Gypsies and Traveller s and Travelling Showpeople in Barking and Dagenham by:

  • retaining and protecting the existing Gypsy and Traveller sites at Eastbrookend Country Park
  • delivering a maximum of 12 pitches by expanding the existing public site at Eastbrookend Country Park within the first five years of the Plan period. This will require the release of Green Belt land, and therefore compensatory improvements to the surrounding Green Belt land will need to be provided for this site in line with the NPPF, and could include the delivery of improvements to the existing green infrastructure, additional woodland planting, wider biodiversity improvements, and new and enhanced walking and cycling routes.
  • delivering a Gypsy and Traveller site in the wider Castle Green area. A more specific location within the site should come forward as part of a wider masterplan process for the area

2.

The Council acknowledges it is currently unable to meet the site accommodation needs of the borough’s Gypsy and Traveller community, and it encourages unallocated Gypsy and Traveller sites to come forward to help address this need. Development of a site to provide additional short-stay (including temporary sites which could help meet the unmet need in the short- term)/or permanent Gypsy and Traveller accommodation to meet the long-term needs of these communities will be supported where:

  • the site is able to accommodate the number of pitches identified in an up to date and robust needs assessment
  • the site is accessible to public transport, safe, convenient walking and cycling environment, essential services and facilities (e.g. water, power, sewerage and waste disposal) and capable of being supported by local social infrastructure and does not place undue pressure on local services (such as healthcare, schools and shops)
  • it provides safe access to and from the public road network
  • the site is a safe location (e.g. not located in an inappropriate area of high flood risk, including functional floodplains, given the particular vulnerability of caravans)
  • the proposal would not result in significant adverse impacts on the amenity of other site occupants and the occupiers of neighbouring sites
  • the proposal supports the health and wellbeing of the occupiers of the site by providing appropriate facilities, layout and design quality and is supported by a Health Impact Assessment
  • arrangements can be put in place at the planning application stage to ensure the proper management of the site in line with the policy requirements above.

For more information please see the Barking & Dagenham Local Plan