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Representation ID: 22483

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: South Staffordshire Council, Planning and Strategic Services

Gypsy and Traveller allocations
We welcome the Black Country’s efforts to ensure that it fully meets its own Gypsy and Traveller
allocation needs as set out in Policy HOU4 of the Draft Plan. South Staffordshire will shortly be
publishing updated evidence regarding its own Gypsy and Traveller pitch needs as part of its Local
Plan Review. This will comprise an updated Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment
(GTAA), Pitch Deliverability Study and evidence of the likely capacity on potential public sites
within the District. It currently appears that this will show a significant shortfall against the
District’s plan period and 5 year pitch needs, which cannot be accommodated even when all
existing Green Belt site release is maximised and all potential public traveller sites are explored.
Given the Black Country’s proximity to South Staffordshire and the extensive Green Belt supply
South Staffordshire will have to explore we would welcome engagement on the following matters
prior to the Black Country Plan later in 2021 to establish:

1. If the Black Country can remove/reduce the need for South Staffordshire to accommodate
additional pitch needs within its Green Belt;
and
2. Whether the Black Country can assist in accommodating South Staffordshire’s remaining
pitch needs once all deliverable Green Belt site options in South Staffordshire are
accounted for.