Gypsy and Traveller Site Identification Study

Gypsy and Traveller Site Identification Study

In March 2008, Mott MacDonald were commissioned by South Bedfordshire District Council to provide a study to identify Gypsy and Traveller ‘sites’ and Travelling Showpeople ‘yards’ in the District.  The purpose of this study is to inform future planning policies and the Site Allocations Development Plan Document which will be consulted on later this year. 

A study prepared for Bedfordshire and Luton in 2006 by David Couttie Associates (DCA) (DCA Report PDF 1.30MB) identified a requirement for 34-40 new Gypsy and Traveller pitches in South Bedfordshire between 2006-2011 in order to clear the backlog and cater for natural growth. In addition, the East of England Regional Assembly Regional Spatial Strategy Single Issue Review (February 2008) recommends 45 pitches for the District over this period (EERA policy PDF 183KB).  In addition, the DCA report found a need for 8 new Travelling Showpeople pitches by 2011.

To help meet these requirements, this study aims to identify up to 20 possible new sites in South Bedfordshire, including 4 or 5 suitable for Travelling Showpeople.  This can also include expansion or intensification of existing sites.

As part of this work, the Council is inviting you to submit either your or your client’s land as a potential site for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.  The following advert appeared in local newspapers to encourage local landowners to submit their sites for consideration.  (Newspaper Advert PDF 23.0KB). In addition, the following information pack gives further guidance on how to submit sites, and contact details if you have any queries.  (Information Pack PDF 40.3KB).

The deadline for your submission(s) is Friday 9 May 2008.