www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Travelling people - provision of sites
Summary of Service
According to The Office Deputy Prime Minister... "Gypsies and Travellers are estimated to make up less than 1% of the population of England, but only a proportion of Gypsies live in caravans."
Site Provision
Wiltshire County Council (WCC) currently owns and/or operates six residential Gypsy sites around the County, providing a total of 96 pitches for their semi-permanent residents. There are no District Council managed sites in Wiltshire.
A further 12 pitches are available at an established transit site in the south-east of the County. The ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) are currently funding an extensive upgrade of this WCC transit site which is due to re-open in March 2006. A potential need for a second transit site has recently been identified in the north-west of the County. An existing transit site in north-east Wiltshire was transferred to the new Unitary Authority of Swindon Borough Council some years ago.
This current level of provision accommodates 169 semi-permanent residents and a further 48 residents - assuming full occupancy - at the transit site; a nominal total of 217 Gypsies and Travellers overall. A breakdown of these figures is:
Kennet District (0 sites): 0
North Wiltshire District (1 site): 55
Salisbury District (3 sites): 87
West Wiltshire District (2 sites): 27
Odstock Transit Site (1 site): 48
Emergency Stopping Places: 0
Total: 217
Details of Service
Allocation Policy
The Council understands that Traveller communities are diverse, but that many Gypsies and Travellers choose to live within small kin-based groups where they can enjoy the benefits of their extended family support which is an essential part of their culture.
The Council aims to provide appropriate accommodation and support services to Gypsies and Travellers on the sites it manages, which respect their culture and traditions and help to address some of the discrimination they face. Traveller Liaison Officers (TLO) must be satisfied that the applicant is a bona fide Gypsy or Traveller.
View the Gypsy and Travellers' Allocation Policy and Application Form (pdf 52Kb).
The Future
Wiltshire County Council together with the four District Councils in Wiltshire are currently working towards the commissioning of a joint Housing Needs Assessment for the Gypsy and traveller communities in the County. This intended commission is imminent and the outcome may indicate a future need for further provision/upgrading of either residential or transit sites and/or Emergency Stopping Places.
Contact Details
By Post
Principal Contracts Manager
Environmental Services Department
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall, Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JD
By Email
landcharges@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713263
By Fax
01225 713400
| A to Z Names | Travelling people - provision of sites, Travelling people - provision of sites |
|---|---|
| Keywords | undefined |
| PID No. | 655 |
| IPSV Category | Traveller sites |
| Level 1 Name | Travelling people - provision of sites |
| IPSV ID | 658 |
