Councils call for sites
Travellers have been forced to park on playing fields and even the site of a new police HQ in their search for stopping places in Gloucestershire
A ‘call for sites’ has been launched by Gloucester City Council along with Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Borough Councils.
Together they are working on a Joint Core Strategy – a comprehensive planning document that looks at future land use as well as other factors such as transport and the economy.
As part of the process they have to identify as many potential sites as possible that could be used by Gypsies, Travellers and Showpeople.
Each site will be assessed and considered for potential inclusion in the technical documents that have to be produced.
Tewkesbury borough councillor Derek Davies says: "There is a recognised national shortfall in Gypsy, Traveller and travelling Showpeople sites which local authorities have a duty to address.
"The identification and provision of sites is complex and not only has to take place within the context of the planning system, but against the backdrop of the real issues experienced by both the travelling and settled communities of Gloucestershire.
There are currently only four county council-run sites for travellers in Gloucestershire – Elmstone Hardwicke, Showborough, a site at The Willows, Sandhurst and one in Culkerton, near Tetbury – totalling 79 pitches.
The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for Gloucestershire concluded 98 extra pitches were required when it was published in 2007.
In June, the lack of stopping places in Gloucestershire hit the headlines when more than 20 people camped on land near Bishop's Cleeve that had been earmarked for Gloucestershire Police’s new headquarters.
A group of travelling showpeople have also fought a lengthy battle to live on a patch of land they own near Gotherington in the county.
Joseph Jones, a spokesman for the 17 families, said more permanent sites were needed.
He said: "This has been going on for the best part of two decades. There just isn't enough available and so far the authorities haven't done anywhere near enough to help.
"I suppose in principle this is a good idea, but there are so many problems to get over before it will happen. How can we be sure we'd get planning permission for a new site?"
The public consultation, which runs until October 18, will form part of the JCS when it is officially adopted in 2012.
More information is available from Adam Gooch on 01452 396836 or email adam.gooch@gloucester.gov.uk
More information about the joint core strategy is available by emailing info@gct-jcs.org.