Issue - meetings

AGREED:

1.      That the proposed approach to the Allocations and Development Management Policies and meeting future Gypsy and Traveller need, subject to presentation of a Draft Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD to the July Cabinet in order to allow presentation to Full Council in July and public consultation throughout the summer be supported;

2.      That the funding submissions to Government which seeks to secure the costs of land purchase and any necessary works to physically implement a Gypsy & Traveller site or sites be endorsed, including noting the need for General Fund match contribution based on costs received to date detailed in the exempt update report, which shall comprise at least 10% match (£100,000) of any maximum grant award; and

3.      That the continued progress on possible land purchase and Gypsy & Traveller development proposals, as detailed in the exempt report, with a view to further updates presented to the July Cabinet alongside the Final Consultation Draft of the Allocations and Development Management DPD be noted and supported.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Performance & Finance presented a report which provided an update on progress toward the publication of the Allocations & Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD), including the Strategy for delivering Gypsy and Traveller sites. The Cabinet were circulated an additional exempt update in respect of pitch delivery. 

The report set out the latest progress with the Plan Review and revised timetable. One of the main challenges of the Plan Review had been the ability to identify sufficient sites to meet the future identified needs of the Gypsy Roma Traveller communities. The report detailed the work undertaken in relation to pitch delivery and contributions from existing and new sites, set out deliverability issues and the competitive funding programme for which bid submissions were required by 13 June 2022. 

AGREED      (unanimously) that:

(a)          the proposed approach to the Allocations and Development Management Policies and meeting future Gypsy and Traveller need, subject to presentation of a Draft Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD to the July Cabinet in order to allow presentation to Full Council in July and public consultation throughout the summer be supported;

(b)          the funding submissions to Government which seeks to secure the costs of land purchase and any necessary works to physically implement a Gypsy & Traveller site or sites be endorsed, including noting the need for General Fund match contribution based on costs received to date detailed in the exempt update report, which shall comprise at least 10% match (£100,000) of any maximum grant award; and

(c)          the continued progress on possible land purchase and Gypsy & Traveller development proposals, as detailed in the exempt report, with a view to further updates presented to the July Cabinet alongside the Final Consultation Draft of the Allocations and Development Management DPD be noted and supported.

Reasons for Decision

To enable the District Council to prepare a sound DPD including the finalisation of an appropriate strategy for delivering additional Gypsy & Traveller sites by:

1.       Allowing the Draft DPD to be finalised;

2.       Seeking to secure external support by submitting a bid to secure government funding; and

3.    To enable the Council to continue to negotiate with landowners on potential sites.

Options Considered

The Council is required to have an up to date Development Plan which meets the housing needs of the whole population. The proposed approach has been developed based on the adopted Planning Policy in the Amended Core Strategy and through public consultation. It is not considered that any other realistic options exist to the proposed approach set out in the report.