Leicester City and Leicestershire1 Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment Final Report May 2017 1 Excluding Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) Leicester City and Leicestershire GTAA – May 2017 Opinion Research Services The Strand, Swansea SA1 1AF Steve Jarman, Claire Thomas, Ciara Small and Kara Stedman Enquiries: 01792 535300 · [email protected] · www.ors.org.uk © Copyright May 2017 Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 Contains OS data © Crown Copyright (2014) Page 2 Leicester City and Leicestershire GTAA – May 2017 Contents 1. Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 6 Introduction and Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 6 Key Findings .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Additional Pitch Needs – Gypsies and Travellers ........................................................................................... 7 Additional Plot Needs - Travelling Showpeople ........................................................................................... 10 Transit Requirements ................................................................................................................................... 13 2. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 15 The Study ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 Local Plan Policies ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Definitions .................................................................................................................................................... 16 The Planning Definition in PPTS (2015) ........................................................................................................ 16 Definition of Travelling ................................................................................................................................. 17 Legislation and Guidance for Gypsies and Travellers ................................................................................... 18 PPTS (2015) ................................................................................................................................................... 19 3. Methodology ................................................................................................................................ 21 Background ................................................................................................................................................... 21 Glossary of Terms ......................................................................................................................................... 21 Desk-Based Review ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Stakeholder Engagement ............................................................................................................................. 22 Working Collaboratively with Neighbouring Planning Authorities .............................................................. 22 Survey of Travelling Communities ................................................................................................................ 22 Engagement with Bricks and Mortar Households ........................................................................................ 23 Timing of the Fieldwork ................................................................................................................................ 24 Calculating Current and Future Need ........................................................................................................... 24 Applying the Planning Definition .................................................................................................................. 25 Unknown Households................................................................................................................................... 25 Households that do not meet the Planning Definition ................................................................................ 27 Supply of Pitches .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Current Need ................................................................................................................................................ 27 Future Need .................................................................................................................................................. 28 Pitch Turnover .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Transit Provision ........................................................................................................................................... 29 Page 3 Leicester City and Leicestershire GTAA – May 2017 4. Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Sites and Population .................................................. 30 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 30 Sites and Yards in the Study Area ................................................................................................................. 31 Caravan Count .............................................................................................................................................. 34 5. Stakeholder Engagement .............................................................................................................. 35 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 35 Views of Key Stakeholders and Council Officers in Blaby District Council ................................................... 36 Views of Key Stakeholders and Council Officers in Charnwood Borough Council ....................................... 37 Views of Key Stakeholders and Council Officers in Harborough District Council......................................... 39 Views of Key Stakeholders and Council Officers in Leicester City Council ................................................... 40 Views of Key Stakeholders and Council Officers in Melton Borough Council .............................................. 42 Views of Key Stakeholders and Council Officers in North West Leicestershire District Council .................. 43 Views of Key Stakeholders and Council Officers in Oadby and Wigston Borough Council .......................... 44 Neighbouring Authorities ............................................................................................................................. 45 Response from the Showman’s Guild (Midland Section) ............................................................................. 47 6. Survey of Travelling Communities ................................................................................................. 49 Interviews with Gypsies and Travellers ........................................................................................................ 49 Efforts to contact bricks and mortar ............................................................................................................ 52 7. Current and Future Pitch Provision ................................................................................................ 54 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 54 Planning Definition ....................................................................................................................................... 54 New Household Formation Rates ................................................................................................................. 54 Breakdown by 5 Year Bands ......................................................................................................................... 56 Movement to and from Sites and Yards ....................................................................................................... 56 Applying the Planning Definition .................................................................................................................. 56 Blaby District Council .................................................................................................................................... 57 Charnwood Borough Council ........................................................................................................................ 62 Harborough District Council ......................................................................................................................... 66 Leicester City ...............................................................................................................................................