Gypsy and traveller sites frequently asked questions

Broadley Park Gypsy and Traveller transit site

• Why should we make provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites?
• Why Broadley Park Road, Woolwell?
• Why isn’t the site in Plymouth?
• Why do we need a transit site?
• When will we consult?
• When will the sites be developed?
• Is the constant coming and going of Gypsies and Travellers going to disturb surrounding communities?
• What will the site look like?
• Who is going to pay?
• Do Gypsies and Travellers pay tax?
• Do Gypsies and Travellers work?
• Will the site impact on our local services?
• Will crime increase?
• Will there be rubbish and fly tipping?
• What is the legal definition of a Gypsy or Traveller?

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Why should we make provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites?

Local authorities are charged with the responsibility to make provision through the planning process to meet identified local need.

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Why Broadley Park Road, Woolwell?

We identified this site as our preferred location for a transit site in August 2011 following an exhaustive examination of all possible locations for Gypsy and Traveller sites. We looked at over 60 possible sites including those suggested by the public through our consultation process.

The identification of Broadley Park was widely reported in the media at this time. A list of sites we considered and the reasons they were rejected is available on the gypsy and travellers sites page.

The access to the site is good and a significant proportion of unauthorised encampments are located within two miles of this site.

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Why isn’t the site in Plymouth?

Over the last five years there have been 33 unauthorised encampments within approximately two miles of the site at Broadley Park. 25 per cent of the unauthorised encampments managed by the Council are on land owned in the South Hams area. We have also identified other sites within the Plymouth boundary.

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Why do we need a transit site?

In Plymouth we have identified that a transit site is our top priority, and that the best opportunity to deliver this would be at Broadley Park. If we do not have a transit site we will continue to have problems with unauthorised encampments. Plymouth had over 40 of these last year which cost around £300,000 to manage.

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When will we consult?

A public consultation will begin in early spring to help develop the plans for the site layout and management. Residents and businesses will be able to leave comments on Plymouth City Council's consultation portal. Details of further consultation events for the local community will follow.

This consultation will provide the opportunity to find out more information and raise any issues or concerns. This information will be taken into account when we submit the planning application. The planning process will also give you the opportunity to formally make your views known.

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When will the sites be developed?

Once the consultation has taken place a planning application will be submitted to South Hams District Council for their consideration. We plan to achieve this in 2012. If planning permission is granted the site will be developed and completed during 2013 to 2014.

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Is the constant coming and going of Gypsies and Travellers going to disturb surrounding communities? ?

In a typical year we currently get around 25 unauthorised encampments involving around six caravans and associated tow vehicles. There will be some traffic moving on and off the site on a day to day basis. The proposed location is on an industrial estate and the road will be upgraded to ensure it is adequate to suit this purpose.

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What will the site look like?

The transit site will have about 15 pitches each with dedicated facilities, for example, amenity buildings with washing up and showering facilities. The number of pitches, site layout and the management of the site will be developed prior to the planning application being made which will take feedback into account.

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Who is going to pay?

We have secured £790,000 from national government funding. The announcement was made by the Homes and Communities Agency on 5 January 2012 and has been widely reported in the media.

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Do Gypsies and Travellers pay tax?

They will pay rates and council tax whilst resident on the transit site. Gypsies and travellers are liable to other taxes in the same way as other citizens, such as purchases, petrol, VAT.

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Do Gypsies and Travellers work?

More Gypsies and Travellers work than not and it is rare for them to claim benefits. They are entitled to claim benefits on the same basis as anyone else.

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Will the site impact on our local services?

Everyone is entitled to education and health services. Whether people are travelling or not we all have a right to receive health care though a GP, health visitor hospital or dentist.

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Will crime increase?

We and the police have no evidence to suggest this is likely.

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Will there be rubbish and fly tipping?

By providing properly managed transit sites we will be in a much better position to identify those actually responsible and to prosecute them if they break the law.

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What is the legal definition of a Gypsy or Traveller?

The most commonly used definition is people of a nomadic habit of life, for example, Romani Gypsies and Irish Travellers.

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