The York Council has announced a new search for possible sites for Gypsies and a Showman’s Yard.

Showman’s site Wetherby Road Knapton Withdrawn in July

The announcement falls sort of asking for residents suggestions.

 

That is a mistake given the controversy which greeted the arbitrary allocation of land announced under Labour’s draft Local Plan last April.

The Council has issued a media release saying,

“The study is underway and will help determine suitable locations for the development of Gypsy, Roma & Traveller and Showpeople sites in York.

An updated study is underway which will help determine suitable locations for the development of Gypsy, Roma & Traveller and Showpeople sites in York, ahead of the next stage of York’s Local Plan consultation in 2014.

City of York Council has a statutory requirement to identify needs and allocate land and so has commissioned an external study in to the Gypsy, Roma & Traveller and Showpeople Housing Needs and Site Identification which will be used to inform and help determine which sites in York are suitable to be included in the Local Plan submission draft early next year.

The submission draft of the Local Plan is expected to published for consultation in Spring 2014.

The revised study will provide an update on the North Yorkshire Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (2007/8) and the North Yorkshire Accommodation Requirements of Showpeople (2009).

It will also build on the work carried out by council officers in the Gypsy, Traveller and Showpeople Accommodation Needs Supporting Paper (June 2013) which were all supporting documents in the recent Local Plan Preferred Options consultation.

The purpose of the Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Housing Needs and Show People Site Identification Study is to ensure that the council is provided with an up-to-date understanding of the likely permanent and transit accommodation needs of Gypsies & Travellers and Showpeople in York and the sub region during the period of the Local Plan to 2030, together with the identification of potential specific sites.

Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said

“Public feedback is essential on all aspects of the Local Plan, which is why we are conducting such an in-depth consultation and asking for feedback on this survey. This will provide invaluable up-to-date supporting information for our submission draft, whilst responding to issues raised as part of the preferred options consultation earlier this year.

“The Local Plan addresses that there is a real need for more, especially affordable homes in York and also the need to address overcrowding for all residents, including Gypsy, Roma & Travellers. Through York’s draft Local Plan, this will help to identify sites for more homes, including for specific groups and this new study will build on existing work and provide an important insight into the needs of Gypsy, Roma & Travellers and Showpeople in the York area, to enable us to make informed decisions on site allocation.

“The previous draft Local Development Framework included the same commitment. We want to work positively with all York communities to address the location of all new proposed sites.”

The council is now taking steps to consult with relevant partners, parish councils and neighbouring authorities on the proposed methodology which will be used in the site identification study.

Groups will be asked to feed back comments over a four-week period (12 November to 10 December) The methodology will help in determining which sites in York are suitable to be included in the submission draft of the Local Plan for the development of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller or Showpeople sites.

For more details please visit www.york.gov.uk/localplan