New planning rules have come into force which the Government claims will protect genuine Traveller communities while cracking down on unauthorised occupation of land.
The changes means there is a requirement to provide caravan sites for those who travel permanently. But any application for a permanent site by someone who does not travel will now be considered in the same way as an application from the settled population, rather than being considered under policies relating to Travellers.
The Government said it would tackle the previous situation where councils without an up-to-date supply of caravan sites found protections of the green belt could be eroded.
Housing and planning minister Brandon Lewis said: ‘Unauthorised traveller sites can blight communities, causing misery for their neighbours and creating resentment that planning rules don’t seem to be applied fairly.
‘Revised planning policy clearly sets out the protection against unauthorised occupation and that the rules apply fairly to every community equally – no ifs, no buts.’ Communities secretary Greg Clark said: ‘I’m determined to ensure fairness in the planning system, so everyone abides by the same rules.
‘Today’s new policy strengthens the hand of councils to tackle unauthorised development in their area, ensures all communities are treated equally and that the protection of the Green Belt is enforceable.’
