Residents' views are important

Residents should be reassured that their views will be considered when planning for the future needs of travellers and gypsies.

Letters of concern have been written to Hertsmere Borough Council from residents who are worried about the possible impact of new sites for gypsies and travellers on the area.

The Government has told local authorities they must provide additional pitches for travellers and gypsies and the Department for Communities and Local Government, through the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA), has produced an independent report on this. The EERA consultation paper can be viewed at the Civic Offices or on the council’s website at www.hertsmere.gov.uk. Comments on these plans can be made direct to EERA and should be submitted by 31 July.

Cllr John Graham, Leader of the Council, said: “The council is aware that some residents are concerned and unhappy about the increased requirement for additional traveller and gypsy sites within the area. We will listen to residents in preparing a response to the Department for Communities and Local Government in relation to potential sites in Hertsmere. We will be conducting our own research into site allocation and just because an area has been referred to within any report does not mean there will be a traveller site placed there in the future.

“I will ensure there is a full period of consultation with residents, which will include public meetings at the appropriate time. This is not a done deal and residents’ concerns will be fully reflected in our response to the Government.”

Cllr Hannah David, portfolio holder for planning, said: “I recognise that the issue of traveller and gypsy sites is sensitive and very important to our residents. We have been instructed to find additional pitches but have not made any decisions on any sites. One option available to us is to accommodate any new pitches on the existing sites within the borough. I would also like to reassure residents that their views are important and they will have the opportunity to have their say including at public meetings which are being planned for July."

Full details of public meetings will published when finalised.

Additional information

In response to the request from Government, the ten local authorities within Hertfordshire commissioned independent research - the Scott Wilson report - to identify potential areas for pitches across the borough. The report has identified 21 potential areas in Hertsmere. Those areas are suggestions only and Hertsmere is not bound to accept the sites suggested and has not made any decision on the sites. Of the 21 potential areas it is estimated that Hertsmere will need just two extra sites in the borough. However the extra pitches required could also be accommodated on existing sites and this is another option for us to consider. The identification of sites will be taken forward through the preparation of the Council’s Local Development Framework and this will include periods of public consultation and Public Examinations presided over by an independent planning inspector. If the Council takes a positive role in identifying one or two additional sites in the Borough it will be able to more successfully prevent unauthorised encampments.

The Scott Wilson report can be seen in full at Civic offices or via our website at www.hertsmere.gov.uk

Planning officers will be considering the information contained within the Scott Wilson report to see whether the sites identified meet specific Planning criteria. From this a Site Allocations Development Plan Document will be drawn up containing the council’s possible options for the locations of the new sites.

These possible options will then be publicised and the six-week consultation with residents and the travelling community will begin. It is anticipated that this will be later in the year. To prepare for the consultation, the Council will be arranging a number of open public meetings in July.

Following consultation, a final version will be drawn up taking the public views into consideration.

This will then go to full council to be approved before being submitted to the Secretary of State for independent public examination. That will be presided over by an Inspector and the public will be able to raise formal objections at this stage as well. From this, the inspector will make legally binding recommendations that the council will have to adopt.

It is estimated that this process will take at least two years.