Local Plan: Calderdale Council to ask people for possible locations for a traveller site somewhere in the borough

Calderdale Council is required by the Goverment to draw up a ‘Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople Development Plan Document’ to go alongside its Local Plan.

As part of that process, it is looking to launch a public consultation about where could be used to house travellers.

If approved by the council’s cabinet, the consultation would ask people to have their say on the processes for identifying and assessing proposed sites, and to submit ideas for potential sites to consider.

No sites or site-specific policies are being identified at this stage.

The aim of the document the council is being asked to draw up is to help ensure that suitable, specific pitches are provided in sustainable locations to meet the needs of the gypsy, traveller and travelling showpeople communities.

It should also ensure there are opportunities for fulfilling employment, people can move around the borough, the environment is protected, and the travelling community and existing residents can live in communities “in a peaceful and inclusive way”, say the council.

Coun Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for Climate Action and Housing, said: “As part of our priority to reduce inequalities, we are committed to ensuring that Calderdale’s Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities have opportunities to access good housing, jobs and services.

"We know they can often experience inequalities, such as with their health and access to local devices.

"We want people’s views to help us create a development plan document that will show how we’ll identify suitable sites for accommodating gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople in a sustainable way.

"This will balance the needs of all communities and protect the natural and built environment.”

The document will ultimately result in land being allocated to meet permanent and temporary accommodation needs up to 2040.

The next step after the public consultation, if approved by cabinet, is to consider the responses and prepare a draft plan that sets out site options for further public consultation. This would take place in early 2025.