Policy HOU4 - Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Show people

Object

Representation ID: 10698

Received: 06/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Oneeb Ul-Haq

This will bring disorder, nuisance, litter, noise to our local environment. It will also increase traffic on Wolverhampton Road.

Object

Representation ID: 11194

Received: 26/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Morgan Brookes

Already have traveller sites so don’t need more.

Comment

Representation ID: 20045

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Rt Hon Valerie Vaz

3 Lack of transparency

As Member of Parliament for Walsall South I have become increasingly concerned about planning matters and planning decision making in Walsall. The recent decision to place a GRT transit site in an unsuitable site in Pleck whilst ignoring suitable sites that are actually designated for development as GRT sites in the SAD (unlike the site chosen) is a prime example.

Support

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.

Comment

Representation ID: 23144

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Environment Agency

Policy HOU4 – Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Show people:
The policy should be strengthened and include the following wording ‘the site should be located within flood zones 1 or 2’. It should be observed that Caravans, Mobile Homes and Park Homes intended for permanent residential use are classified as ‘highly vulnerable’ in accordance with Table 2 of the Planning Practice Guidance: Flood Risk and Coastal Change. Highly vulnerable development is only appropriate in Flood Zone2 on completion of the Exception Test.

Support

Representation ID: 43937

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: IM Land

Agent: Turley Assocs

Policy HOU2 (housing density, type and accessibility)
3.48 IM Land agree that a range of types and sizes of accommodation are needed, this is
reflected in the Councils’ Housing Market Assessment (March 2021). Notwithstanding
this, any housing mix should be agreed based on the most recently available
information at the point an application is determined, this is rightly acknowledged by
the policy.
3.49 Part 4 of the policy is also welcomed and the recognition that a site’s density can be
lower than the guidelines set by the policy is it is necessary to reflect local
distinctiveness. The Vision Document for land at Queslett Road, Walsall demonstrates
how the surrounding context has influenced our proposals for the site.

Support

Representation ID: 44905

Received: 10/10/2021

Respondent: Cannock Chase Council

Support. The commentary indicates that there are sufficient sites to meet the needs
identified. Cannock Chase currently has a shortfall of sites and would welcome
further discussions regarding this matter.

Comment

Representation ID: 45921

Received: 29/09/2021

Respondent: Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CCWMP)

Agent: Tyler-Parkes

The Tyler Parkes Partneship Ltd act for the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CCWMP).

This Comments Form TOGETHER WITH the accompanying letter dated 29th September 2021 comprise the CCWMP's representations on Policy HOU4.

The Government’s good practice guide on ‘Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites’ published in 2008, recommends that consultation should take place with the Police on site security issues and the Police Architectural Liaison Officer’s advice should be sought on the design of specific schemes with the aim of ‘designing out’ crime and social exclusion and ‘designing in’ community safety and social inclusion.

The CCWMP therefore formally requests that the wording within Policy HOU4 be amended to state that there is a requirement to consult with West Midlands Police and to consider issues of security and the need to promote community safety, social inclusion create environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion.

The proposed modification to the policy is shown below:

‘5) The location, design and facilities provided on new sites will be determined in consultation with local gypsies and travellers and travelling show people and will also consider / reflect any available national guidance. Proposals for development will be expected to be well designed and laid out respecting Secured by Design principles. It is recommended that pre-application advice is sought from the West Midlands Police Design Out Crime Officers.’