Eastern Eden?

Local councils in the east of England should set up at least 1,237 additional residential pitches for Gypsies and Travellers by 2011, according to a revision to the Regional Spatial Strategy.

The updated strategy, prepared by the East of England Regional Assembly, says an additional 1,038 pitches will be needed between 2011 and 2021. There should also be provision for 160 additional transit pitches by 2011.

The figures were agreed following consultation with local councils, planning bodies and Gypsy and Traveller representatives and will be written into local development plans. It is hoped the policy will reduce the number of unauthorised sites and the estimated £18 million a year enforcement costs, as well as improving community relations.

Barbara Follett, minister for the East of England, said it was a ‘positive step towards addressing the serious disadvantages experienced by members of the travelling communities’.

‘It is vital that we address the housing needs of everyone in our communities, including Gypsies and Travellers,’ she added. ‘By ensuring sufficient provision of well-managed, authorised sites, we can help stop the negative and costly cycle of evictions from unauthorised sites that is costly to the taxpayer and impacts on the quality of life for the travelling community and can be so disruptive to all of our communities.’

Gypsies and Travellers constitute the largest ethnic minority in many rural areas of the East of England.