Gypsies, Roma, Travellers and Travelling Show People

Paragraph 63 of the NPPF 2024 sets out ‘…the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community should be assessed and reflected in planning policies. These groups should include (but are not limited to) those who require affordable housing (including Social Rent); families with children; looked after children; older people (including those who require retirement housing, housing with care and care homes); students; people with disabilities; service families; travellers; people who rent their homes and people wishing to commission or build their own homes.’

Since the B&NES Reg.18 Options Consultation undertaken in spring 2024, expert consultants have on behalf of B&NES Council undertaken a review of the Gypsies and Travellers Accommodation Assessment (GTAA). In June 2024 the council identified 35 existing gypsy and traveller pitches in Bath & North East Somerset:

• 1 public site (11 pitches);
• 4 private sites with permanent planning permission (9 pitches);
• 1 site that is tolerated for planning

Paragraph 1.20 of the GTAA 2025 sets out a summary of recommendations for addressing housing need from gypsies and travellers as follows:

‘For need arising from public sites the council will need to consider the expansion or intensification of these sites, or for new sites(s), as it is unlikely that this need could be addressed through the provision of pitches on new private sites.

For need arising from private sites the council will need to consider the expansion or intensification of these sites, or to address need through new site/pitch allocations. Where they have been identified the council should also consider the regularisation of sites with temporary planning permission and of unauthorised sites.

The council will also need to carefully consider how to address any potential needs from Undetermined households; from households seeking to move to Bath & North East Somerset (in-migration); or from households currently living in bricks and mortar who may wish to move to a site. In terms of the Local Plan Policies, the council should continue to use or put in place Criteria-Based Local Plan Policies as suggested in PPTS.

Future need from new household formation could also be met through natural turnover of pitches over time, or through enforcing against pitches not found to be occupied by Gypsies or Travellers.’

Paragraph 1.22 of the GTAA goes on to say that:

Due to historic low numbers of encampments, and the existence of public transit pitches (some of which have recently been converted to permanent pitches due to a lack of demand for them as transit pitches), it is not recommended that there is a need for additional formal public transit provision in Bath & North East Somerset at this time