Planning System: Gypsies and Travellers

Andrew highlights the issue of low employment rates and lack of qualifications among Gypsies and Travellers, suggesting that they should be integrated into a whole assessment of housing needs within local areas rather than treated as a separate group. Mr. Selous highlighted the need for cohesive communities and good life chances for all citizens, particularly Traveller children who face poor educational, employment, and health outcomes. He expressed that his settled constituents feel unsafe due to theft and threats from some members of the Traveller community. Mr. Selous criticized the current planning policies as failing both Travellers and settled residents, arguing that they prioritise nomadic living over education for Traveller children. Andrew Selous intervened twice, asking about flexible education for Traveller children and expressing that his constituency had experienced issues with Gypsies and Travellers for over a decade.

He noted that the failure of local authorities to provide sites for Gypsies and Travellers is contributing to the necessity for them to stop in unauthorised areas, questioning whether this is a factor. Andrew Slaughter highlighted the high level of deprivation in Gypsy and Traveller communities, citing statistics such as only 3% to 4% of individuals aged 18-30 entering higher education. He argued that there is discrimination against Gypsies and Travellers in planning processes and called for a change in approach.

Andy supports Mr. Hollobone's call for action on trespassing and emphasizes the need to address issues beyond planning, such as education and work opportunities for Gypsies and Travellers.

Intervened to suggest that police are not effectively using the powers available to them when dealing with unauthorised encampments, which contributes to the problem faced by local communities. Elliot Colburn highlighted the difficulties local authorities face in managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, citing a specific example from Sutton London Borough where the council's handling of a site plan led to public objections and delays. He stressed the need for better welfare checks on encampments, faster enforcement mechanisms, and suggested replacing the requirement for permanent sites with transitory ones.

She highlighted that businesses in her constituency are facing difficulties due to wrongful occupation of business sites by Gypsies and Travellers, indicating this is a widespread issue beyond just residential concerns.

The MP highlighted the prejudices against the Gypsy and Traveller community and emphasised the need for factual evidence over anecdotes. He discussed legitimate issues such as educational attainment, housing provision, and land supply, urging for a system that supports the flexible lifestyle of the Traveller community. He also pointed out the responsibility of local authorities in providing authorised sites and addressing illegal encampments. The MP called for a joined-up strategy covering health, education, employment and social welfare to improve conditions for the Traveller community.

He suggested that building relationships with the Traveller community requires more encouragement for their children to attend local schools and clubs and emphasised mutual respect as a key factor in integrating the Traveller community into wider society.

She congratulated the hon. Member for introducing the debate and pointed out that in Ireland, the criminalisation of trespass is part of a broader package of equalities and rights programs for Gypsies and Travellers, questioning the flawed nature of the Home Office consultation. Kate Green argued that the balance of rights and responsibilities between local authorities and Travellers is not currently in favour of the travelling community. She noted that planning policy changes have reduced the supply of sites for Gypsies and Travellers, and highlighted that no local authority has taken up affordable homes funding to provide more pitches despite its availability.

He argued that historical planning laws have been discriminatory towards Travellers living nomadic lifestyles, pointing out that five councils in the country have not identified any Traveller sites and very few have reached their full limit. Since Brighton opened a transit site and expanded the permanent site, the number of encampments in unauthorised locations has reduced by almost half. Lloyd Russell-Moyle provided an example of how negotiation can be more effective than punitive measures.

He congratulated his colleague on securing the debate and mentioned that although the government did not explicitly use this phrase, they committed to making acts of deliberate trespass a criminal offence, requiring primary legislation.

There were 39,200 retrospective planning applications over three years with only one in eight rejected. This creates an incentive for Gypsy and Traveller encampments to exploit the system by developing land at agricultural value and later obtaining developable land worth. Mark Pawsey highlighted the challenges faced by Gypsies and Travellers in his constituency, noting issues with retrospective planning applications and temporary consents. He detailed how developments often start on bank holidays to avoid immediate enforcement action, leading to delays in addressing unauthorised pitches. My hon. Friend the Member for Kettering mentioned powers to require an inappropriate development to be taken down and the site restored, questioning whether these powers are used far too rarely.

The MP intervened, expressing concern about the financial burden on local authorities due to the lack of authorised sites and called for the government to support councils in using compulsory purchase powers to buy land for permanent sites.

Discussed the difficulties faced by constituents applying for permission to build on green belt land in Mole Valley, highlighting specific cases where some Travellers ignored planning laws and remained on a site since 2003. Emphasised that local authorities should be able to enforce vacation of unauthorised encampments.

Sir Paul agrees with Mr. Hollobone's points, emphasizing that special treatment within the planning system for Travellers applies only to a quarter of their population and does not address issues such as work levels and educational attainment.

Ms Sultana highlighted the prejudice faced by Gypsies and Travellers, citing a report where 91% of people in these communities had experienced racism. She noted that inadequate provision for stopping places and authorised sites leads to unauthorised camps and proposed police powers would further oppress this marginalised group.