Policy information sourced from Sevenoaks Core Strategy

SP 6 Provision for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

Sites will be provided by means of allocations in the Allocations and Development Management DPD for gypsies and travellers and, if required, for travelling showpeople. The identification of sites in the Allocations and Development Management DPD will take account of the following criteria:

  • The site should be located within or close to existing settlements with a range of services and facilities and access to public transport
  • The site is of a scale appropriate to accommodate the facilities required and will offer an acceptable living environment for future occupants in terms of noise and air quality
  • Safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian access can be provided to the site
  • The site is not located within an area liable to flood
  • The development will have no significant adverse landscape or biodiversity impact. In the AONBs, sites should only be allocated where it can be demonstrated that the objectives of the designation will not be compromised.
  • Alternatives should be explored before Green Belt locations are considered.

Land allocated for gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople will be safeguarded for this purpose so long as a need exists in the District for accommodation for gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople.

Proposals for sites for gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople on other land outside existing settlement confines will only be permitted where it is first demonstrated that the development is for occupation by gypsies and travellers or travelling showpeople and that the proposed occupant has a need for accommodation that cannot be met on lawful existing or allocated sites in the region. In addition development proposals will need to comply with criteria a – e above.

For the purposes of this policy gypsies and travellers are people who meet the definition in Circular 01/06, as set out in the Core Strategy glossary.

For more information please see the Core Strategy