Policy information sourced from the Hertsmere Local Plan Core Strategy

CS6 Gypsy and Traveller sites

The Council will provide for the further needs of Gypsies and Travellers on the basis of identified need within south and west Hertfordshire. The Council will identify and allocate at least 9 additional pitches to meet the needs that were identified for the period up to 2011 in the East of England Plan and will also identify and allocate land to meet the need for a further 2 pitches per year up to 2017. These allocations will be made through the Site Allocations DPD.

In identifying land or determining planning applications for any required potential sites/pitches, consideration will be based on a range of criteria including:

  • the potential of existing sites to accommodate additional pitches;
  • a sequential site selection process with an emphasis on land which has been previously developed;
  • safe and convenient access to the road network, without blocking or inhibiting use of any existing rights of way;
  • the proximity of a transit site to a major road network;
  • respecting the size and scale of and not dominating the nearest settled community, and avoiding an adverse impact on local infrastructure and services;
  • safe and acceptable environmental conditions within the site including the need to avoid air and noise pollution and significantly contaminated land;
  • an ability to receive essential services including water, sewerage, drainage and water disposal;
  • a location within reasonable proximity to key local services;
  • the potential for a site to be effectively landscaped and where necessary, an adequate buffer between the site and any nearby settled community;
  • the potential risk of flooding or the ability to mitigate this risk; and ensuring other adverse effects on the built and natural environment are avoided and / or mitigated including compliance with the key environmental policies set out in the Core Strategy; and
  • the likely availability of the site to accommodate Gypsy and Traveller pitches.

For more information please see the Hertsmere Core Strategy