Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document consultation begins today, with engagement events to start next month

People in Wiltshire can now have their say on the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document, as the consultation begins today (Tuesday 20 August) until 5pm on Friday 4 October.

To enable people to find out more about the Development Plan Document and ask questions, the council is holding five engagement events at different locations around the county in September where people can drop-in to find out more, and one online engagement event.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: "The draft Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document sets out how we propose to plan growth for the housing needs of Gypsies, Travellers and travelling showpeople in Wiltshire up to 2038.

"At this stage in the process, it's very important that we get feedback and comments from everyone with an interest in the plan. To enable people to ask questions and find out more, we are holding five in-person drop-in engagement events and one online, and people can sign up for the online event now - there is no need to sign up for the in-person events ahead of time."

Wiltshire Council, like all Local Planning Authorities, must plan for all members of the community, including Gypsies and Travellers. It must make provision to meet the accommodation needs of travellers, which includes Gypsies, Travellers and travelling showpeople, including the allocation of sites in development plans to meet this need.

People can read the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document and supporting consultation documents on the council's website and at the main council offices at County Hall, Trowbridge, Monkton Park, Chippenham, and Bourne Hill, Salisbury. The plan will also be available in many Wiltshire Council libraries.

People can share their views through the council's online portal, and anyone without internet access can visit a library to use the computers, or contact the council to get a written copy of the representation form and find out how to view the documents.

Information about what types of issues people can comment on will be provided on the council's website.

The list of engagement events is as follows. People can just turn up at any time during the in-person events, which are drop-in sessions - there is no need to book. However, anyone who wishes to attend the online event must sign up beforehand. Anyone with an interest in the Plan can attend any of the in-person events - they do not need to choose the one nearest to them.

Find out more and sign up for the engagement event Have your say (Regulation 19 consultation).