Members of the public from across the region, including Gypsies and Travellers, are being asked for their views as the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East) launches a 12-week consultation on proposals to tackle the shortage of caravan pitches for the Gypsy and Traveller community in the region.
Of the 4,229 Gypsy and Traveller caravans in the region, 1,140 are on unauthorised sites, highlighting the major shortage of proper facilities. In February, the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) submitted recommendations for increased site provision with at least 15 additional pitches allocated for each of the 48 local planning authorities in the region by 2011.
Brian Hackland, Regional Director of the Government Office for the East of England, said:
"Gypsies and Travellers, like every other community, need somewhere to live. By providing enough authorised sites to meet people's needs we can reduce unauthorised encampments and help to end friction with settled communities.
Meeting accommodation needs is an important part of the Government's wider commitment to tackling exclusions and inequalities from which Gypsies and Travellers suffer disproportionately."
The plans for additional Gypsy and Traveller caravan pitches are part of a single issue review of the East of England Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy) and follow two years of research and consultation with local authorities, businesses, voluntary organisations, the public and Gypsies and Travellers.
The East of England Plan provides a clear, agreed, long-term vision for how the region will provide jobs and homes for its residents until 2021 and beyond. It is the framework for putting into place the Government's growth agenda within the region and ensuring that growth is sustainable. The adequate provision of homes and affordable housing to accommodate the needs of different communities, is a vital element of the Plan.
EERA Chairman Cllr John Reynolds said:
"Gypsies and Travellers want somewhere legal to live and local communities want to avoid the problems of illegal sites. The Assembly has therefore recommended 15 more legal caravan pitches for every council by 2011 with more where the need is highest.
"Everyone now has the opportunity to make their views known and influence the Government's final policy."
Responses to the public consultation will be considered by an independent panel who will conduct an Examination in Public and provide recommendations on any changes to the proposals. The Government would consult on any further changes before publishing the final policy later in 2009.