Council launches consultation on Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Site Allocations | Latest news

Arun District Council is required to plan for the needs of Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in accordance with Government guidance and are launching a public consultation to seek comment from Arun residents.

The consultation is based on the Preferred Options document which seeks to identify sites across the District that will provide for the identified needs of these specific communities and runs from Thursday 1 October until 26 November 2020.

The Preferred Options take a positive approach to safeguarding existing sites within the District by proposing to expand some of the existing sites and proposing to identify a potential additional new site in order to meet the number of sites needed for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.

At this stage of public consultation, the Council is seeking views from the widest range of interested groups and residents on any further issues that should be considered at this time and on the Preferred Options for providing for identified needs.

To help those wanting to respond to gather information before completing the consultation, the Arun Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Site Allocations Development Plan Document (G&T DPD) –  Preferred Options document sets out the context for consideration of these preferred options, including national and regional policies and the available evidence base / statistical background. All documents and how to comment, can be found on the District Council website https://www.arun.gov.uk/gypsies-and-travellers-planning-policy

Cllr Martin Lury, Cabinet Member for Planning said “All public consultations are important and we welcome input from our residents. As in many situations, we now have to do things a little differently and Covid-19 restrictions mean we are unable to have any hard copy deposit points, so the documents can only be viewed electronically. This complies with the temporary suspensions in the Arun Statement of Community Involvement, so we thank the public in advance for their understanding.”

The consultation closes 5pm on 26 November 2020, after which the Council will assess any responses received which will help in preparing the Pre-Submission Document.

Any questions should be directed to Arun District Council Planning Policy Team

localplan@arun.gov.uk