Wood you believe it
Forest of Dean District Council in Gloucestershire needs your help in finding new sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Showpeople in its area.
Following a recent county-wide assessment of the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers, the District Council says it needs to find about 26 additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches, as well as plots for Travelling Showpeople in accordance with both national and regional policy.
The council has revealed it is currently assessing the potential of land in the district for use as Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople sites. They aim to identify as many sites as possible that could accommodate these plots, in the immediate future and in the long term. The assessment will provide a list of potential sites and may result in some of these being developed in the short term, while others may be allocated in a future planning document.
Commenting on the District Council initiative, Cllr Venk Shenoi, the council’s member for Planning and Housing said “The District Council has a legal obligation and is looking at the best way in which the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Traveller communities and Travelling Showpeople can be met. Good community relations are important and support from the local communities is essential for integrating the different lifestyles within the fabric of local parishes.”
So if you’re a Gypsy or Traveller and you live in the area get in touch with them. The council is looking for your views between 15th January until the 26tth February. Further details are available from the Council’s Forward Plan team on 01594 812500 or on www.fdean.gov.uk.