These are called Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs). GTAAs may be used to inform the preparation of policy and site allocations for Gypsies and Travellers at Housing Market Area (HMA) or local plan level.
In accordance with the NPPF and the duty to co-operate set out in the Localism Act 2011, a GTAA covering Derbyshire and East Staffordshire was jointly commissioned in August 2013 by the following partners, updating the previous ones published in 2008 for Derbyshire and 2013 for East Staffordshire:
- Derbyshire County, Derby City and 8 district and borough councils in Derbyshire
- Peak District National Park Authority
- East Staffordshire Borough Council
- The Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group
RRR Consultancy Limited completed a final version of the GTAA 2014 on 26 June 2015. The methodology applied in the GTAA 2014 is based on the approach recommended in PPTS and other best practice, and uses a 15 stage assessment process. The report draws on primary and secondary data sources including:
- primary data: face-to-face surveys with Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people
- secondary information: including a literature review and secondary data analysis, for example, analysis of the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Bi-Annual Traveller Caravan Count
- stakeholder consultation with local organisations involved with Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people
The GTAA 2014 has a base date of 2014 and provides a snapshot in time based largely on survey evidence collected from October 2013 to February 2014. It also represents a piece of evidence, which provides a starting point for considering pitch and plot requirements for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show people in the study area for the period 2014/15 to 2034/35. This is a similar approach to the assessment of future needs for market and affordable housing, set out in the NPPF and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG).
Partners will be able to use the GTAA to guide pitch and plot requirements in their administrative areas. They can also use it as the basis for further bespoke studies of their own, supplemented by other local survey and monitoring evidence, to provide a more locally specific indication of need. It is also recognised by the commissioning partners that such findings drawn primarily from snapshot data may be reviewed by individual local authorities over time.
The GTAA 2014 does not identify specific sites to accommodate future pitch and plot requirements in the study area. This will be the responsibility of the individual city, district and borough LPAs through the preparation and review of their local plans.
The GTAA 2014 and supporting position statement is attached to this page. The GTAA 2014 sets out recommendations for accommodation needs across the study area as a whole and for each local authority area for the period 2014/15 to 2034/35, showing need for the number of:
- permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitches
- Travelling Show people plots
- transit sites and emergency stopping places (study area only)
- bricks and mortar accommodation units
The position statement explains the status of the GTAA as a piece of evidence, and how it can be used by local authority partners to inform assessments of the pitch and plot requirements in their areas. It also explains that the transit site and emergency stopping place need is set out only for the study area as a whole and does not identify need for transit provision in specific authority areas. Furthermore, it suggests that authorities should consider sharing such provision.
Study partners
- Amber Valley Borough Council
- Bolsover District Council
- Chesterfield Borough Council
- Derby City Council
- Derbyshire County Council
- Derbyshire Dales District Council
- Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group
- East Staffordshire Borough Council
- Erewash Borough Council
- High Peak Borough Council
- North East Derbyshire District Council
- Peak District National Park Authority
- South Derbyshire District Council
For further information, please email: planningpolicy@derbyshire.gov.uk or during normal office hours Call Derbyshire, tel: 01629 533190.