Localism or Nimbyism? The Localism Act 2011
The Localism Act (LA or the Act) received the Royal Assent on 15th November 2011. See:
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/20/contents/enacted
Different parts of the Act will be brought into force at different times. Some parts have been brought into force immediately. Virtually everyone agrees with local democracy but, when it comes to issues affecting Gypsies and Travellers, the fear amongst activists is that localism is in danger of being ambushed by nimbyism.
The Act is 483 pages long and covers a vast range of issues. In this blog we we are only concentrating on those issues that are of most concern to Gypsies and Travellers seeking site provision. The Government has also published “A plain English guide to the Localism Act”: See
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localismplainenglishupdate
The Act brings into force two key provisions which will have an immediate effect on Gypsies and Travellers, namely those relating to: the abolition of Regional Strategies; and the changes to the law regarding retrospective planning. In addition to these matters, the Act makes provision for local referendums, neighbourhood development orders, the abolition of the standards board, pre-determination by local councillors and the community right to challenge which all have implications for, or could be of interest to, the Gypsy and Traveller communities.