Gypsy and Travellers

The proposed scope of the Gypsy and Travellers DPD is to allocate land for travellers in sustainable locations meeting identified permanent and temporary accommodation needs up to 2036, in line with Government planning policy and legislation. 

At this stage we are seeking comments on the Plan's scope and our proposed approach to meeting accommodation needs.  

To view the consultation document, please use the link below:

• Planning for Wiltshire's Gypsy and Traveller Communities consultation document [839.2KB]

Representations can be submitted using the electronic comment form available below. This electronic comment forms is mobile friendly and provides a simple way to submit comments. The form summarises key information pertinent to each question. Once started please complete the form and click 'submit' as your comments will not be saved. The form will not save partially complete responses or allow attachments.

• Planning for Wiltshire's Gypsy and Traveller Community electronic comment form

Alternatively, you can complete a word document comment form and send this to spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk. 

• Planning for Wiltshire's Gypsy and Traveller Community comment form [231.6KB]

If you wish to submit your comments via post, please address mail to: 

Spatial Planning
Economic Development and Planning
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

If you would like further information, including assistance on how to access documents and submit comments, please use the email address* provided below:

• spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk

*Due to increased remote working as part of the ongoing response to the Coronavirus pandemic we encourage people to contact us via email wherever possible. 

If you wish to contact us via telephone please understand that you will be placed through to customer services who will endeavour to put you through to one of our officers. For questions relating to the consultation please contact customer services and ask to speak with a member of the team in Spatial Planning on:

• 0300 456 0100 (lines open 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday)

If you wish to contact us via post, please address mail to:

Spatial Planning
Economic Development and Planning
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

The 2020 Local Development Scheme states that a Gypsies and Traveller Plan will be developed by the Council. The purpose of the Plan is to identify accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople; and to identify sites to meet this need. It will cover the period 2019-36. Adoption of the Plan is anticipated for late 2022.

A key piece of evidence informing the Plan is the Wiltshire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA), dated June 2020. The study identifies permanent and temporary accommodation needs for gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople for 2019-2036. This GTAA now supersedes the previous GTAA dated December 2014.

• 2020 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment [2.72MB]
• Wiltshire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment [2.31MB] - 2014

The Wiltshire Core Strategy as part of the development plan for Wiltshire remains the starting point in determining planning applications for traveller sites. Core Policy 47 in the Core Strategy sets out the Council's strategy for meeting accommodation needs and determining planning applications.

However, the 2020 Wiltshire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment published below can be a material consideration in determining planning applications for traveller sites.

The 1985 Housing Act (as amended) requires Councils to periodically assess the accommodation needs of persons residing in caravans and houseboats within their district.  Planning Policy for Traveller Sites requires Councils to undertake their own assessment of accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople; and to identify sites in their Local Plan to meet identified need. 

Private land supply has been consistently poor despite a Call for Sites which remains open to date.
Interested landowners can register sites with the council for consideration and assessment, if you have a site which you would like to be considered as part of this process please visit the SHLAA section our  Monitoring and Evidence page and use the call for sites form or contact the Spatial Planning Team directly spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS) paragraph 10a states that local planning authorities should identify and update annually, a supply of specific deliverable sites sufficient to provide 5 years' worth of sites against their locally set targets. This Statement provides a 2018-based 5 year land supply position consistent with PPTS, for each Housing Market Area in Wiltshire.

Five Year Supply Statement for Gypsy and Traveller Sites 2018 [314.16KB]

Wiltshire Council undertook a survey amongst residential boaters on the Kennet and Avon Canal in the summer of 2017. The purpose of the survey was to improve information on the accommodation needs of boaters. The below report will form part of the evidence base for the Wiltshire Local Plan which is now underway and scheduled to conclude in 2023, as set out in the 2020 Local Development Scheme.

• You can read the Boaters Survey final report   here [606.29KB].

Comments or questions can be directed to the Spatial Planning Team at 01225 713223 or spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk.