Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the recommendation, which was referred to in the Executive report of 12 July 2022, regarding the East Herts Council Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTANA).

Councillor Goodeve said that in accordance with national legislation and policy, the Council had a duty to plan for a mix of housing that met the needs of the district’s communities, such as provision for older people, affordable housing and accommodation for Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Show People. The GTANA will replace the now outdated study published in 2016; and strengthen the Council’s position in relation to being able to demonstrate identified accommodation needs; assess its 5-year land supply position; and, inform discussions with applicants of the relevant key strategic sites. It will influence future policy outcomes; and be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

Councillor Goodeve proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Snowdon seconded the proposal.

Councillor Goldspink said that she welcomed the report and thought it was an excellent piece of work. She said the Gypsy and Traveller Community were a valuable part of the community and should be treated fairly and equally.

Councillor Crofton said he recognised the important of providing sites for the Gypsy and Traveller Community and asked what provision had been made if the sites were no longer required by the community.

Councillor Goodeve said it would be set out in the conditions of the planning application but would get a detailed response to Councillor Crofton after the meeting.

Councillor Huggins said that his ward had a number of these sites and he welcomed the report so that the need was clearly defined and provided greater protections. He said he offered his services if there were opportunities for working groups to work on the strategy and how it would be implemented.

Councillor Wilson asked if Councillor Goodeve had a view on the policy and practice of negotiated stopping and whether the council was likely to use that.

Councillor Goodeve said she would provide a written response.

The motion to support the recommendations having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – That (A) the East Herts Council Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTANA) May 2022, as detailed at Appendix D to this report, be agreed as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications; and

(B)       the East Herts Council Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTANA) May 2022, as detailed at Appendix A to this report, be agreed as technical evidence to support any future review of the East Herts District Plan, October 2018 and any potential local planning guidance.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment report. Councillor Goodeve said that in accordance with national legislation and policy, it was the council’s duty to provide a range of housing for different needs such as older people, affordable housing and the gypsy and traveller community.

Councillor Goodeve said that this assessment would replace the outdated 2016 study and strengthen the council’s position in identifying housing needs. The assessment would inform discussions with applications of relevant key strategic sites and if approved, would become a material consideration in future planning applications. She said that in the 2022-2037 Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment identifies 43 pitches for Gypsy and Traveller households with 31 needed in the next five years and 23 plots for travelling show people with 16 needed in the next five years.

Councillor Kaye said that the discussions with the Gypsy and Traveller community during the East and Equal Strategy consultation raised the challenges they faced. He said that the document allows the council to think about the community’s need and how they can be met in the District. Unplanned settlements were a concern for residents and Councillor Kaye said the evidence based approach in the assessment should help avoid this in the future and help address community cohesion.

Councillor Haysey said that the council needed to work with all residents to understand their needs.

Councillor Goodeve proposed, and Councillor Kaye seconded a motion supporting the recommendations in the report. On being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – To recommend to Council that (A) the East Herts Council Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTANA) May 2022, as detailed at Appendix A to this report, be agreed as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications; and

(B)       The East Herts Council Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTANA) May 2022, as detailed at Appendix A to this report, be agreed as technical evidence to support any future review of the East Herts District Plan, October 2018 and any potential local planning guidance.