Gypsy & Traveller sites

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out the engagement carried out so far. An Attitudes Survey ran in 2021 to 2022 to gather views on key issues facing the county. Consultation on the draft vision and objectives followed in 2023. Five Call for Sites exercises took place between 2021 and 2025, including for brownfield land and gypsy and traveller pitches. The draft Local Plan was consulted on in 2025, and a sites engagement exercise with landowners, infrastructure providers and local councils ran in spring 2026.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out Objective 3, on new housing. It aims to meet housing needs for all groups, including affordable, accessible and specialist homes, key worker housing and self-build opportunities. The national standard method calculates a need of 4,344 new homes a year, about 91,230 homes over the plan period. The Plan must also meet an identified need of 681 pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and 38 plots for Travelling Showpeople.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains the purpose of the policy on travelling communities' accommodation. It aims to ensure the needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople are planned for positively and delivered in line with national policy. It provides a framework for identifying, allocating and safeguarding sites, while promoting sustainable, accessible and well-designed development that supports equality, inclusion and community wellbeing.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy provides for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation. The identified need over the plan period is 681 pitches and 38 plots, of which 516 pitches and 30 plots are needed in the first 10 years. The Council will allocate 280 pitches and 14 plots towards this, through a mix of new sites and the intensification or expansion of existing sites, with further pitches on NESS sites in later years. Existing lawful sites are safeguarded, and delivery will be monitored with more sites identified if needed.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports self-build and custom housebuilding, where people commission or build their own homes. On sites of 50 or more dwellings, at least 5% of market homes must be provided as serviced plots for self or custom build, unless robust evidence shows a lower share is needed for viability. Plots must be marketed for at least 24 months; if unsold they should be offered to the Council or a Registered Provider before the developer can build them out as market housing. Each plot needs a plot passport setting out its key design rules.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets criteria for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation, in line with the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment. Sites must be well designed with enough space for caravans, day rooms and landscaping, have safe access to services such as shops, schools and healthcare, and respect the size of the nearest settled community without dominating it. They must avoid flood risk and harm to the environment, and be serviceable with water, utilities and sewerage. For Travelling Showpeople, the need for mixed-use yards and storage space will also be considered.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy sets out when development is acceptable in countryside that lies outside the Green Belt. Supported categories include agriculture and forestry, outdoor sport, buildings for existing rural businesses, development within settlement built-up areas, rural exception housing, sites for Gypsies and Travellers, homes for rural workers, extensions, conversions of existing buildings and redevelopment of previously developed land. It also supports improvements to the Grand Union Canal network. The policy guides windfall sites (sites not specifically allocated in the plan) towards existing settlements as the most sustainable locations.