PARTIAL REVIEW OF THE SOUTH EAST PLAN:
GYPSIES, TRAVELLERS AND TRAVELLING SHOWPEOPLE ACCOMMODATION NEEDS
The South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) is seeking views on providing places to live for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople in the South East. In response to new Government requirements, the South East Plan is being updated to identify how many caravan spaces (pitches) should be provided by each Council. The District Council will be submitting a response to SEERA but the views of individual residents are requested also. For information an outline of the document is set out below with a link to the full details.
The main issues for comment are:
- The proposed number of new spaces for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the South East up to 2016;
- Four options for deciding how many spaces go in each council area.
The total number proposed for the South East as a whole is 1064 new spaces for gypsy and travellers and up to 274 spaces for showpeople.
The options suggest distribution between Districts/Boroughs but do not identify specific locations for caravan sites. The options are briefly set out below;
- Option A – New spaces should ALL be provided as close as possible to where gypsies and travellers currently live. This may mean some council areas have no spaces.
- Option B – New spaces should ALL be in the same general area where gypsies and travellers currently live. Neighbouring councils would share the duty for providing new spaces but some council areas would have none.
- Option C – HALF the new spaces should be in the same general areas where gypsies and travellers currently live. The other half would be spread across the region to make sure that all areas provide some spaces.
- Option D – MOST (75%) new spaces should be in the same general areas where gypsies and travellers currently live. A quarter would be spread across the region to make sure that all areas provide some spaces.
The numbers put forward for Horsham District are as follows;
Option A – 59
Option B – 56
Option C – 47
Option D – 51
For travelling showpeople it is recommended that Horsham District provides;
Option A – 3
Option B – 2
Option C – 8
Option D – 6
Further information and an online response form are available on the South East England Regional Assembly website.
The consultation closes at 5pm on 21 November 2008. | 
