New information released on planning reforms for Gypsies and Travellers

Today, Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) released a policy note following the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS), which include a series of positive changes for Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Under the new policies, some of the long-standing barriers to the development of Gypsy and Traveller sites will be reduced, with a revised planning policy definition which is more inclusive and reflective of the accommodation needs of Romany Gypsies and Irish Travellers.

The policy note outlines the key changes, implications and possible next steps, authored by Dr Simon Ruston MRTPI on behalf of FFT. 

Some of the key changes introduced in the NPPF and PPTS policies include:

• A more permissive approach to development in the Green Belt (where certain criteria are met), including for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
• If a local authority planning authority has not identified land to meet the 5 year supply of pitches, granting planning permission is now more likely (as is also the case for other forms of development).
• Expanding the planning definition of a Gypsy or Traveller, regardless of whether they are living a nomadic way of life, which better reflects current accommodation needs of many Gypsies and Travellers.

The updated planning definition is as follows: 

Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependants’ educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, and all other persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in a caravan, but excluding members of an organised group of travelling [showmen] or circus people travelling together as such [emphasis added]. 

The government’s response to the consultation explained the definition change was ‘In light of both domestic and European Court judgments’ and that ‘The amendment seeks to ensure that the accommodation needs for those persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in a caravan are covered by the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.’

Speaking about the reforms and the policy note, Abbie Kirkby, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Friends, Families and Travellers said:

“We are encouraged to see our collective work campaigning on site provision being addressed during the review of national planning policies. The changes in policies will help reduce some of the long-standing barriers to the delivery of sites for Gypsy and Traveller families. 

However, prejudicial attitudes will continue to be a blocker, and only by reintroducing a statutory duty to provide sites will we see meaningful change for the provision of homes for Gypsy and Traveller communities. As ever, we will continue to work alongside others to campaign for this.”

You can read the extended policy note in full here. 

 

ENDS

About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)

Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life.

Media Contact

Communications Team

Email: comms@gypsy-traveller.org

Additional Resources 

Planning Reforms December 2024: Impacts on Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Communities. Friends, Families and Travellers and Dr Simon Ruston MRTPI. December 2024. View.