Gypsy and Traveller campaigners swing into action as government announces “disastrous” new changes to Traveller planning law
Gypsy and Traveller campaigners swing into action as government announces “disastrous” new changes to Traveller planning law
The Government is threatening major changes that redefine Gypsies and Travellers and remove ethnic status and protection in planning law as concerns rise that this will bring an abrupt halt to Traveller site provision.
Announcing the proposals, Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis has said the intent is to protect the green belt and bring “fairness” to the planning system. He also claims that there has been a “4 fold increase in the number of unauthorised caravans”. However, Gypsy and Traveller charities say that the Government’s own figures do not back up his claims.
Gypsy and Traveller campaigners say that the proposed changes, announced on 14th September; “will effectively halt Traveller site provision in its tracks”.
Campaigners also say that under the new proposals only Gypsies and Travellers living on the road for work purposes will be eligible for permanent sites. In addition to this, they say, Gypsy and Traveller families on permanent sites or living in housing will be excluded from accommodation needs assessments and Councils will no longer have to provide for them.
Reacting to the proposals, Yvonne MacNamara Chief Executive Officer of the Traveller Movement, said:
“With large numbers of new Traveller pitches being turned down by council planning committees it is clear that the planning system is certainly not fair, but it is Gypsies and Travellers that need protection in law. “
“This disastrous move, if passed by the government , the changes will set many families back over 50 years, by forcing families and children back onto the roads and highways"
After a consultation with local Gypsies and Travellers the London Gypsy and Traveller Unit (LGTU) are kick-starting a campaign to raise awareness amongst Travelling communities. They have already produced a short film outlining the proposals and the Gypsy and Traveller reactions to them.
Debby Kennet from the London Gypsy and Traveller Unit said: “The idea for the film came from Gypsies and Travellers who came to a meeting to talk about the government’s planning consultation. People felt really strongly that others in their community needed to know that these changes are happening and thought that Travellers talking to other Travellers through social media was the best way to get the message out there”
Tracie Giles, a Romany Gypsy from London who appears in the film, said:
“What we need to do is come together and we need to campaign against the government because this is wrong, because they’re taking away our identity and taking away our cultural history”
The Government has announced a consultation on the proposals and the deadline for responses is on the 23rd November, 2014.
Planning lawyers and campaigners are working together to try to stop the proposals becoming law and to ensure that every Gypsy and Traveller gets a chance to have their views heard. The LGTU are starting a Facebook campaign and the Traveller Movement is lobbying councils and politicians in an attempt to get them to oppose the Coalition Government’s proposals.
Lawyers say that the proposals will need to go through parliament before they are passed, regardless of the results of the consultation.
Lisa Buttigieg, an Irish Traveller from London who also appears in the LGTU film, said:
“You have until the 23rd November to come and help us and help yourselves. It’s no good crying when the damage is done; you need to speak up.”
“All the Travellers need to stick together to stop this law going through.”
The link to the weSTILLcount face book campaign page is here: www.facebook.com/WeSTILLcount
And the link to the film on You Tube is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbCIUW927ic
By Bethan Wyn Jones