Policy information sourced from Thurrock Core Strategy and Policies for Management of Development

CSTP3 - GYPSIES AND TRAVELLERS

The Council will support proposals that seek to ensure that the standard of the existing approved Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Borough is progressively improved and upgraded.

The Council will seek to make provision for a total of 87 additional pitches (see i to iii below) in accordance with RSS Policy H3, for the period 2006- 2021, subject to credible evidence of actual need for any further pitch provision demonstrated over the period to 2021 through the GTAA review.

  • The Council will review the existing unauthorised “tolerated” Gypsy and Traveller sites through the Site Specific Allocations DPD and where appropriate regularise their status at existing pitch levels or with appropriate extensions to the site, if satisfied that they meet the provisions of this policy and if required at the time.
  • The Council will provide an additional five pitches at the Pilgrims Lane site.
  • Subsequently the Council will make additional pitch allocations through extensions of the other existing sites, authorised and regulated, and through allocation of new sites if proven to be necessary and appropriate.

The Council will refresh its own GTAA to assess the evidence of actual need over the Plan period from 2021 to 2026/7 and shall identify further pitch provision to meet any such need through the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD or a revision thereto.

The Council will continue to engage with local gypsies and travellers through the work of the dedicated Gypsy liaison and planning officers.

In relation to the identified need beyond 2021, the Council will continue to work with our partners in the region to develop a fair and equitable distribution of provision.

Proposals for new or extensions to existing Gypsy and Traveller Sites will be considered by reference to the following criteria:

  • The Council is satisfied that there is a clearly established need for the site and the number of pitches involved cannot be met by an existing site;
  • The site is accessible by foot, cycle and/or public transport to local services and facilities, such as shops, primary and secondary schools, healthcare and other community facilities;
  • The site proposal will not unacceptably impact upon the safety and amenity of the occupants and neighbouring uses;
  • The site proposal will not unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the area and will not result in an unacceptable visual impact;
  • The proposed accommodation on the site or site extension will not normally comprise more than 5 individual pitches. This threshold may be exceeded where the site location and topography allows always subject to the availability of credible evidence of actual need;
  • The site will have safe and convenient access to the road network and would not cause a significant hazard to other road users;
  • The site will make provision for parking, turning, service and emergency vehicles;
  • The site will be supplied with essential services such as water, power, sewerage and drainage, and waste disposal;
  • Proposals incorporate a landscape strategy where appropriate;
  • The vulnerability of the proposed site to flood risk.

Key Diagram and Maps

Sites will be identified at Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD stage and shown on the Proposals Map.

For more information please see the Core Strategy and Policies for Management of Development