Policy information sourced from the Havering Local Plan

11 Gypsy and Traveller accommodation

The Council will seek to ensure that the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople who meet the planning definition of a traveller and those who do not meet the planning definition (as set out in Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (2015)) are met for the Local Plan period 2016-2031.

1) Identifying and addressing accommodation needs

a) Overall accommodation needs for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople households

The Council has undertaken a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA). The Update report (July 2019) of the GTAA identifies this need as 220 pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and 5 plots for Travelling Showpeople for the Plan period 2016-2031 comprised of:

  • 174 pitches for Gypsy and Traveller households who meet the planning definition
  • 43 pitches for Gypsy and Traveller households who do not meet the definition
  • 3 pitches for undetermined households
  • 5 plots for Travelling Showpeople who meet the planning definition

b) Accommodation needs for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople households for 2016-2021

The GTAA Update report (July 2019) identifies the need for pitches and plots for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople for the period 2016-2021 as:

  • 136 pitches for Gypsy and Traveller households who meet the planning definition
  • 33 pitches for Gypsy and Traveller households who do not meet the definition
  • 2 pitches from undetermined Gypsy and Traveller households
  • 5 plots for Travelling Showpeople

The sites allocated for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople households are identified on the Policies Map and listed in the tables in Annex 6. The tables identify the number of pitches and plots that will be accommodated on each site.

In total, 162 pitches are identified on these sites for Gypsy and Traveller households and 5 plots for Travelling Showpeople households. The remaining accommodation needs for 2016-2021 for Gypsy and Traveller households of 7 pitches required will be addressed through the consideration of planning applications for pitches within the seven areas indicated below which have been identified for accommodating growth for 2021-2026.

The sites allocated in Annex 6 and for accommodating growth (below) are only to be used for accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. These sites will be removed from the Green Belt and inset within it.

c) Accommodation needs for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople households for after 2021

It is unlikely that there will be scope for sites in the urban area to address the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the period after 2021. Following detailed assessment of the sites allocated in this Local Plan, the Council expects that the majority of the accommodation needs arising for the period 2021-2026 could be met within existing sites or within land adjoining them where this is in the control of households on the existing site(s).

The Council expects the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller households arising in the period 2021 - 2026 to be met at the following locations:

  • Ashlea View, Tomkyns Lane
  • Church Road
  • Haunted House Wood
  • Laburnham Stables
  • The Old Forge, Hubbards Chase
  • Tyas Stud Farm
  • Willow Tree Lodge

No further need in Havering after 2021 has been identified as necessary for accommodation for Travelling Showpeople households.

d) Accommodation needs for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople households after 2026

Planning applications for sites to meet future accommodation needs for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the latter periods of the Local Plan period (2026-31) as a result of new household formation will be addressed against relevant national policy and the criteria set out below.

Where appropriate, the Council will seek to retain approved sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the light of the challenges of identifying suitable sites for these communities.

2) Development criteria for sites for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople

When considering planning applications for sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople, the Council will take into account the matters identified in criteria (a) – (e) of paragraph 24 of Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) (2015).

Provision for pitches and plots to meet the needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople on the identified sites and on new sites will be supported in a planning application where the Council considers that:

  • The site has a suitable site layout which demonstrates that the site is able to accommodate the number of pitches and plots sought;
  • The site has essential services such as water, power, sewerage, drainage and waste disposal or is capable of being provided with these;
  • The site is provided with high quality boundary treatment and landscaping in accordance with Policy 27 of this Plan;
  • The site has safe access to the highway and public transport services and will not result in unacceptable impact on the capacity and environment of the highway network;
  • The site does not place an undue pressure on local infrastructure (such as healthcare, schools and shops);
  • The proposal would not result in unacceptable adverse impacts on the amenity of other site occupants and the occupiers of neighbouring sites;
  • The proposal would not result in unacceptable adverse impacts on the visual amenity of the local area;
  • Sites at risk of flooding should be subject to the sequential and exception tests.

In addition, the Council will also give weight to the criteria set out in paragraph 26 of Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) (2015) (or any revisions to national planning policy) when assessing proposals for sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople.

For more information please see the Havering Local Plan