New legislation set to reduce illegal Traveller camps

Communities affected by unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller encampments will benefit from new legislation contained in the Housing Bill, which is expected to receive Royal Assent later today.

The new Act will require local authorities to take account of the accommodation needs of travelling people and to create strategies for meeting those needs. This is in addition to other powers in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, due to come into effect in January, which are designed to "strengthen the ability of councils to deal with illegal developments".

Housing Minister Keith Hill said that the government was "determined to resolve this difficult issue".

"The current situation is simply not acceptable. Local people need to know unauthorised development and encampment will not blight their communities, and Gypsies and Travellers must have access to proper, authorised sites," he said.

"As in other areas, we have inherited a litany of neglect. Since the repeal of the requirement and funding for councils to provide sites in 1994, numbers have dwindled. This has led to an increase in illegal encampment and development - affecting communities living near by.

"Today's announcement will help reduce this number by ensuring councils plan for the needs of Gypsies and Travellers in their area in the same way as they do for other people."

The government has said that it will have provide £33 million to help local authorities keep authorised sites up and running by 2006. In addition to this, where Gypsies and Travellers develop land without planning permission, the government has introduced new Temporary Stop Notices to help councils bring this to an immediate halt.

The Minister stressed the combination of stronger enforcement and the mainstreaming of Gypsy and Traveller needs was "vital to the creation and maintenance of balanced, inclusive and sustainable communities".

(gmcg/sp)