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22 Nov 2008, Time:00:03
You are here: Wiltshire County Council > Home > Environment and Planning > Travelling people - provision of sites > Gypsy and Traveller Sites - The Future<br>
Gypsy and Traveller Sites - The Future
A number of issues will influence this area of responsibility in the foreseeable future, for example:
- Upgrading of existing facilities at Dairy House Bridge residential Gypsy site and Odstock Transit Site (with financial assistance from Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)).
- Identification, funding and construction of a second transit site for travellers in north-west Wiltshire to satisfy local needs and to support the unauthorised camping service.
- The Commission for Race Equality (CRE) are becoming increasingly pro-active in seeking local authorities’ compliance with their General Statutory Duty to pay due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and promote good relations between people of different racial groups (s.71(1), Race Relations Act 1976, as amended).
- In their recent Consultation Paper - ‘Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Sites’ (December 2004) - , the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) specifically state that … “Authorities should also consider making full use of the registers of unused and under-used land owned by public bodies as an aid to identifying suitable locations. Vacant land or surplus local authority land may be appropriate.”
- The introduction of the Housing Act 2004 will require the local Housing Authority (i.e. the District Council) to prepare Local Housing Assessments (LHA) of Gypsy and traveller accommodation needs and to then consult with key stakeholders, including the County Council.
- The ODPM is currently inviting bids for the next round of the Gypsy Sites Refurbishment Grant. Since 2001, ODPM has provided £25m nationally to upgrade existing local authority Gypsy and traveller sites and also to provide new transit sites. A further £8m is available for 2005/06. The opportunity for possible part-funding by ODPM of any new initiatives in Wiltshire is to remain under regular review.
- The present lease at Bonnie Park Gypsy Site expires in 2011 and this will only worsen the overall provision of residential accommodation for Gypsies in Wiltshire at that time.
Contact Details
By Post
Gypsy & Traveller Unit
Wiltshire County Council
Environmental Services Department
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713411 (Helpline)
By Fax
01225 713400
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
