Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan

Policy M11: Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation

Dartford Borough will meet accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople, identified in Table 8 and Policy S4, and plan to provide a Five Year Supply, by:

  • Realising the potential for additional accommodation through permitting gypsies and travellers development, particularly for caravans to facilitate indigenous family needs, at existing authorised and tolerated sites, where needs are appropriately demonstrated;
  • Allocating land for three pitches at Salinas Darenth Wood Road, five pitches at Eebs Stables, Trollingdown Hill; and four pitches at Eagle Farm, High Road Wilmington, shown on the Policies Map and at Diagrams 15 to 17. Specific proposals will be subject to detailed landscaping requirements to ensure that the impact on the openness of adjoining green belt land is minimised and, where appropriate, to provide new defensible boundaries that should have the potential to endure for the plan period and beyond;
  • The need for one travelling showpersons plot will be met through an existing permission at the Forest Amusements site, Darenth Wood Road.
  • Protecting and safeguarding: existing authorised Gypsy and Traveller sites and pitches; existing authorised sites for travelling showpeople; the new gypsy and traveller pitches allocated under 1(b); and any new gypsy and traveller sites that might be granted planning permission.

Proposals for gypsy and traveller pitches and travelling showpeople plots outside of the allocated sites will be determined in accordance with national policy, and having regard to relevant material considerations, including recognising the importance of meeting any remaining unmet gypsy and traveller site needs. Permission will be granted on a permanent basis wherever possible. Proposals should show the site:

  • Is of a scale to accommodate, and has the potential to provide the facilities required for, future occupants in terms of amenity and in meeting site licensing requirements;
  • Will provide acceptable living conditions for future occupants in terms of noise, vibration, pollution, and such other environmental factors as may be material;
  • Is of a scale compatible with the ability of the surrounding community to accommodate the development without significant detriment to neighbouring residential amenity, taking into account existing population size and density;
  • Is not in an area liable to flooding, and that suitable drainage can be installed that does not lead to unacceptable risks to groundwater and/ or localised flooding;
  • Is located in reasonable proximity to a range of services and facilities;
  • Has the ability to provide appropriate safe vehicular access to the site and provides suitable parking and amenity areas; and
  • Is screened and visually integrated into the local and wider landscape, with careful siting within the site (including of any day rooms and other necessary ancillary facilities).

Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan