Travellers: Caravan Sites

House of Lords written question – answered at on 1 December 2014.

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Photo of Lord Avebury Lord Avebury Liberal Democrat

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many planning and enforcement appeals involving Gypsy sites in the Green Belt were allowed between February 2006 and March 2012; and how many of those related to temporary permissions.

Photo of Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Communities and Local Government)

The total number of appeals relating to traveller cases in the Green Belt between February 2006 and March 2012 is 378. Of those, 192 were allowed (51%).

The Planning Inspectorate does not collect data on how many permissions were temporary or permanent.

Planning policy on traveller sites was intentionally changed in March 2012, to give greater emphasis to the protection of the countryside and Green Belt, and discouraging both temporary and permanent permissions in the Green Belt. This is part of the Coalition Agreement pledge to safeguard the Green Belt.

As laid out in statements to Parliament, Ministers have also amended the recovery policy to consider more appeals on traveller sites and the Green Belt. We are currently considering responses to our consultation on further proposed amendments to planning policy and guidance, including further strengthening protection of the countryside.

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