Regional Policy: Regional Spatial Strategy Single Issue Review

In February 2006, the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) commenced a single issue review of the East of England Plan to address the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers.  The single issue review is required to conform with ODPM Circular 01/2006 Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites and reflect the Housing Act 2004 and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

The East of England Regional Assembly published an Issues and Options document for consultation between May and July 2007.

In light of responses received to that consultation, additional research and further advice from local authorities, EERA submitted a Draft Policy ‘Planning for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the East of England’.  The Draft Policy was published on 25 February for a 12 week public consultation ending on 16 May 2008.

An Examination in Public into both the Issues and Options consultation document and the Draft Policy was held from 21 to 24 October 2008.  The Examination included the need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches for residential use and for transit use, along with the needs of Travelling Showpeople.  Further details are available on the Planning Inspectorate website http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/rss/east_of_england_gypsy/index.htm

The Report of the Panel was published in December 2008.  This is available on the Government Office for the East of England website http://www.gos.gov.uk/goeast/planning/regional_planning/687221/

The Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes will be published by the Government Office for the East of England in Spring 2009 for public consultation.

This is an outline of the anticipated timetable:

Last updated 22 December 2008.