Cabinet approves Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan

This plan, alongside the Wiltshire Local Plan review - which was approved by Full Council and has been submitted to the Secretary of State - completes the update of the adopted Wiltshire Core Strategy. Together, these documents will ensure that the accommodation needs of all parts of Wiltshire's communities are addressed and that the council meets its equalities duties.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: Like all Local Planning Authorities, we have a statutory duty to provide land to meet the accommodation needs of Wiltshire's Gypsies and Travellers, including the allocation of sites in development plans.

The approved plan sets out how these needs will be met and I'm pleased that Cabinet has agreed to take it forward today for approval by Full Council on 25 February.

Following the public debate in the Cabinet meeting, we will request that when assessing the proposed allocations within the Plan, the Inspector takes into account any additional supply of pitches that have been approved since the Regulation 19 consultation.

We had more than 650 responses to our consultation, which was held from 20 August to 4 October last year, and we also held five in-person engagement events around to county and one online event to enable people to find out more.

The Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document is a key part of our strategy to meet the housing needs of all community members, including Gypsies, Travellers, and travelling showpeople. It helps us fulfil our obligations and plan for sustainable growth in accordance with national policy and also meets our Business Plan commitment to live well together in cohesive communities.

To find out more about the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document and to read the Cabinet report, people should visit: Committee details - Democratic Services - Wiltshire Council