Decision Taken By: CABINET MEMBER FOR Planning and Transportation
Decision No: D090121MEM
Date: 29th July 2009
Decision(s) and Reason(s)
Partial Review of South East Plan - Gypsies Travellers and Travelling Showpeople - Preferred Option
Minutes
Further to Decision No D080188MEM, the report gave details of the Regional Planning Body's consultation on a preferred option for the distribution of Gypsy and Traveller site provision throughout the South East region. It was noted that Option D, favoured by the Regional Planning Body, would require the provision of 19 new pitches in the Borough (including a Travelling Showmen pitch) in comparison with the Council's previous position to promote an option involving 10 or 11 pitches. An update was given on the outcome of a County-wide Joint Member Steering Group meeting together with a recommended response to the consultation.
Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation resolved that:
1) with regard to the Partial Review of the South East Plan:
(i) objection be raised to the allocation of 18 pitches to Tonbridge and Malling and Option C1 (12 pitches) be promoted as an alternative;
(ii) objection be raised to the Travelling Showmen pitch requirement for the Borough for the reasons given in the report;
(iii) the approach to dealing with Transit Site provision be supported; and
2) efforts continue to be made to secure a satisfactory and viable solution for enlarging the public Gypsy site at Coldharbour with a view specifically to meeting as much as possible of the locally identified need within the Borough.
Reasons: As set out in the report submitted to the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board of 29 July 2009.
Signed M Balfour (Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation)
Signed Leader: M Worrall
Signed Chief Executive: D Hughes
Date of Publication: 31 July 2009
This decision will come into force and may then be implemented on the expiry of 5 working days after publication unless it is called in.