Councils to identify 15 years of traveller sites, says new policy

The policy puts the provision of sites back into the hands of local councils and communities, which must identify up to 15 years of specific developable sites or broad locations for traveller sites in its Local Plan.

The new policy condenses the previous 54 pages of traveller site guidance to eight pages. It will come into effect at the same time as the awaited National Planning Policy Framework, which the Government announced would be published and come into effect on Tuesday.

The policy aims to remove the top-down targets set by central Government, which has harmed community relations, increased the number of unauthorised sites, and compelled councils to encroach onto the Green Belt, the Government said.

Protection of green spaces is central to the policy, which states that "traveller sites are an inappropriate development on Green Belt land". It states that "regard for the protection of the local environment and amenities when local authorities set out their criteria for allocating sites", is vital.

Under the new Policy, Local Authorities must determine the right level of traveller site provision in their area, in consultation with local communities.

"The result of these changes will reduce tensions between settled and traveller communities whilst enabling provision of accommodation from which travellers can access education, health, welfare and employment infrastructure," the Government said.

The new policy forms part of a broader package, including changes to planning law to limit retrospective planning applications for any form of unauthorised development and the provision of incentives for new and refurbished traveller sites, which will deliver a better balance between site provision and enforcement.

"Top-down targets from central Government failed to provide adequate land for travellers and caused tensions with the local settled community. People want to see fair play in the planning system, treating everyone fairly and equally," said Mr Neill. "These new policies will allow local authorities to govern their own affairs whilst ensuring that both travellers and the settled communities get a fair deal through the planning system."