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Gypsy and Traveller Sites
15 May 2024
Lead MP
Philip Hollobone
Kettering
Con
Responding Minister
Lee Rowley
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Word Count: 4385
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Philip Hollobone raised concerns about gypsy and traveller sites in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Hollobone requests changes to discourage unauthorised development, including accelerating the process for issuing stop notices, making it a criminal offence not to comply with temporary stop notices, changing planning regulations regarding topsoil removal, aligning the planning system with caravan licensing regimes, and introducing fit and proper person tests under the Mobile Homes Act 2013.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Philip Hollobone is concerned about the planning system around Gypsy and Traveller provision, which he believes has many holes and does not work effectively. He highlighted specific issues such as unauthorised development where land is bought over a bank holiday weekend, with no immediate action to stop it due to legal wrangles through the planning process that can last three to four years or more. Hollobone also mentioned the difficulties in identifying landowners, especially when individuals operate outside normal deed exchanges and land registration.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Suggested that the balance goes the other way, referencing a High Court ruling which granted a declaration of incompatibility under the European convention on human rights regarding lack of lawful stopping places for Gypsies and Travellers. He recommended the Friends, Families and Travellers report to the Minister and to the hon. Member for Kettering on site availability issues affecting Gypsy and Traveller populations. The report highlights the lack of site provision which led to a judgment declaring incompatibility with the law due to discrimination.
Gavin Williamson
Con
Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
Congratulated the hon. Friend on securing the debate and highlighted an unfairness in the planning system where local authorities that have traditionally provided a large number of pitches are penalised.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Expressed opposition to the hon. Gentleman's views, highlighting a High Court ruling about the ECHR and calling on the Government to reintroduce a statutory duty to ensure accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers are met.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Asked the hon. Member if local community planning and provision should go hand in hand with the right for Travellers and Gypsies to live freely, suggesting sensitivity is key.
Congratulated the hon. Friend on securing the debate, agreeing that planning guidance differs significantly from local authority to local authority and often does not work well for both local communities and the Traveller community.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Declared an interest as a serving Somerset councillor, stating decisions made by the previous administration in Somerset have left the county without any appropriate transit sites.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Mr. Steve Double agreed with Mr. Hollobone about the unfairness in the system that penalises authorities sticking to rules, leading to greater provision for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
Government Response
Lee Rowley
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Rees. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) for securing the debate and for giving us the opportunity, even for just a few short minutes, to talk about these important issues. The Government set the legislative and policy framework within which this area of policy operates, including the NPPF and PPTS. Despite variance between policies, local planning authorities are responsible for plan preparation and decision-making in accordance with development plans. No area of planning policy is perfect; we must balance competing interests fairly. Since 1979, the number of pitches provided has increased from fewer than 10,000 to 25,000 according to the latest count. The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act removed the four-year time limit for taking action against breaches in planning control and doubled the time when stop notices are effective from 28 to 56 days. I will pass comments on enforcement to my colleagues in the Home Office.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.