Background
Following the Housing Act 2004 and Circular 01/2006 ‘Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites’, Guildford, Surrey Heath and Waverley local authorities jointly commissioned a survey.
David Couttie Associates undertook the survey to obtain detailed and robust information on the accommodation needs of the Gypsies and Travellers across the three districts.
This information has informed the preparation of the first revision to the South East (regional development) Plan and inform the allocation of additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches to each area.
It will also be an important part of the Evidence Base, used for the Guildford Development Framework to support future planning policies.
Millfield Services undertook 144 interviews between 6 – 18 November 2006:
- 92 interviews on permanent authorised sites
- 25 interviews in bricks and mortar accommodation
- 10 interviews on unauthorised sites
- 17 interviews with Travelling Showpeople
The Findings
The main findings of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (sometimes referred to as the ‘GTAA’) are as follows:
Key findings for Guildford, Waverly and Surrey Heath:
Average 1.7 mobile homes per pitch
- 21% of households said they were overcrowded
- 77% of households said they would prefer a private pitch (some responses may be aspirational rather than realistic)
- There are currently 106 permanent pitches within the 3 boroughs - 63 are local authority site pitches
- There is a current shortfall of 52 pitches based on overcrowded households and unauthorised pitches within the 3 boroughs
- There is a need for 44 additional pitches arising from new family formations between 2006 – 2011 within the 3 boroughs
- The current projected number of pitches available over 5 years is 10 pitches
- The total shortfall of pitches is 96 minus 10 pitches available = 86 pitches required between 2006-2011 within the three boroughs
The projected need for new Gypsy and Traveller pitches 2006-2011
|
Distribution of new pitches based on ideal location |
| Guildford |
30
|
| Waverley |
37
|
| Surrey Heath |
19
|
| Total |
86
|
Travelling Showpeople
Travelling Showpeople were included within the GTAA and separate data collected for them.
The GTAA found that there was a need for 27 additional pitches to meet the needs of Travelling Showpeople in the next 3 years including 15 in Guildford, 2 in Waverley and 10 in Surrey Heath.
There are currently 12 Travelling Showpeople pitches within Guildford Borough with temporary planning permission, which expired in December 2008, and the data takes this future need into account.
Transit Sites
The GTAA found no evidence for further dedicated transit pitches to be provided in West Surrey in the next 5 years.
Next Steps
The new South East England Partnership Board (SEEPB, which supersedes SEERA) is responsible for allocating the number of new Gypsy and Traveller pitches to be provided by each local authority in the South East.
A copy of the West Surrey GTAA and additional supporting information, was passed to SEEPB last year. This has helped inform the current consultation on pitch allocations as set out by SEEPB in the document ‘Partial Review of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South East: Provision for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople’ (this page opens in a new window). In this consultation document it is recommended that Guildford provides 27 Gypsy and Traveller pitches and 12 Travelling Showpeople pitches between 2006 to 2016.
Copies of the relevant government publications can be downloaded from the links below:
Planning Policy
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444471
Email: planningpolicy@guildford.gov.uk