Extra 50 gypsy and traveller pitches needed in Horsham District in the next 5 years

Horsham District needs 50 extra gypsy and traveller pitches in the next five years, a council assessment says.
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The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment was commissioned by Horsham District Council as part of its local plan review, a council spokeswoman said.

She added: “National Planning Guidance requires local authorities to address the needs of travellers in the District and this is being progressed through the Council’s Local Plan Review.

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As part of this review the Council has commissioned a ‘Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment’ which found a need for 93 additional pitches within the District over the period 2019-36, of which 50 pitches are needed in the next five years (this assessment can be viewed on the Council’s website).”

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The council is considering responses to the Local Plan Consultation, which included meeting gypsy and traveller needs, according to the spokeswoman.

She said: “These outcomes will help to inform the next stages of our Local Plan preparation process.”

Opposition to the growth of a gypsy and traveller site in Codmore Hill has been backed by Pulborough Parish Council.

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The campaign was first launched by Codmore Against Rural Decline.

The Horsham District Council spokeswoman said: “The Codmore site currently provides two gypsy and traveller pitches and these were granted planning permission by councillors at Planning Committee South in September 2019.

“As part of this application the unmet need for additional gypsy and traveller pitches in the district was a significant consideration, as were matters relating to the location of the site, character and appearance, neighbouring amenity and highway impacts.

“The current planning application relates to the same site but proposes a total of six pitches, with part of the applicant’s justification again relating to the unmet need for such development within the District.”

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The council has received a number of representations from interested parties and these are being considered as part of the application process, she added.

The spokeswoman said: “As with the previous submission, the current application will be determined by councillors at Planning Committee South. At present there is no provisional date for which meeting the application will be considered.”

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