Bedford Borough Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment Final Report February 2017 Opinion Research Services | The Strand • Swansea • SA1 1AF | 01792 535300 | www.ors.org.uk | [email protected] Opinion Research Services | Bedford Borough Council - GTAA FINAL February 2017 Opinion Research Services | The Strand, Swansea SA1 1AF Steve Jarman | Claire Thomas and Ciara Small enquiries: 01792 535300 · [email protected] · www.ors.org.uk © Copyright February 2017 Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government \licence v 3.0 Contains OS data ©) Crown Copyright (2014) Opinion Research Services | Bedford Borough Council - GTAA FINAL February 2017 Contents 1. Executive Summary ....................................................................................... 1 Introduction and Methodology ................................................................................................................... 1 Key Findings ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Additional Pitch Needs – Gypsies and Travellers .................................................................................. 2 Additional Plot Needs - Travelling Showpeople .................................................................................... 3 Transit Requirements ............................................................................................................................ 4 2. Introduction .................................................................................................. 5 The Study ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Local Plan Policy .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Definitions ............................................................................................................................................. 6 The Planning Definition in PPTS (2015) ................................................................................................. 6 Definition of Travelling .......................................................................................................................... 7 Legislation and Guidance for Gypsies and Travellers ............................................................................ 8 PPTS (2015) ........................................................................................................................................... 9 3. Methodology ............................................................................................... 11 Background ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Glossary of Terms ................................................................................................................................ 11 Desk-Based Review ............................................................................................................................. 11 Stakeholder Engagement .......................................................................................................................... 12 Working Collaboratively with Neighbouring Planning Authorities ........................................................... 12 Survey of Travelling Communities....................................................................................................... 12 Engagement with Bricks and Mortar Households ..................................................................................... 13 Timing of the Fieldwork ...................................................................................................................... 14 Waiting Lists ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Calculating Current and Future Need ................................................................................................. 15 Applying the Planning Definition......................................................................................................... 15 Unknown Households ......................................................................................................................... 16 Non-Travelling Households ................................................................................................................. 17 Supply of Pitches ................................................................................................................................. 17 Current Need ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Future Need ........................................................................................................................................ 18 Pitch Turnover ..................................................................................................................................... 18 Transit Provision .................................................................................................................................. 19 4. Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Sites and Population .............. 20 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 20 Sites and Yards in Bedford Borough .................................................................................................... 21 Opinion Research Services | Bedford Borough Council - GTAA FINAL February 2017 Caravan Count ..................................................................................................................................... 22 5. Stakeholder Interviews ................................................................................ 23 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 23 Bedford Borough - Main Findings ............................................................................................................. 24 Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers ....................................................................................... 24 Bricks and Mortar ................................................................................................................................ 25 Unauthorised Encampments ............................................................................................................... 25 Cross-boundary Issues and the Duty-to-Cooperate ............................................................................ 26 Future Issues to Consider .................................................................................................................... 27 Neighbouring Authorities .......................................................................................................................... 27 Central Bedfordshire ................................................................................................................................. 28 Accommodation .................................................................................................................................. 28 Cross-Boundary Issues ........................................................................................................................ 28 East Northamptonshire ............................................................................................................................. 28 Accommodation .................................................................................................................................. 28 Cross-Boundary Issues ........................................................................................................................ 29 Huntingdonshire ........................................................................................................................................ 29 Accommodation .................................................................................................................................. 29 Cross-Boundary Issues ........................................................................................................................ 30 Luton.......................................................................................................................................................... 30 Accommodation .................................................................................................................................. 30 Cross-Boundary Issues ........................................................................................................................ 31 Milton Keynes ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Accommodation .................................................................................................................................. 31 Cross-Boundary Issues ........................................................................................................................ 31 Northamptonshire Countywide Traveller Unit (CTU) on