A year-long study has assessed the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers in the Moorlands and four other Staffordshire areas.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has joined with East Staffordshire Borough Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Stafford Borough Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council in carrying out an assessment of the 'sub region'.

The work is in response to new government legislation to resolve long-standing accommodation issues for members of gypsy and traveller communities.

Councillor Gill Heath, cabinet member for housing and property, said: "The government guidance is aimed at ensuring gypsy and traveller communities have equal access to decent and appropriate accommodation options akin to each and every other member of society.

"In response to this, gypsy and traveller accommodation assessments are being undertaken across the UK, as local authorities seek to identify any needs in their area so that they are able to respond to the new obligations and requirements."

A team of researchers from the University of Salford's Housing and Urban Studies Unit and the University of Birmingham's Centre for Urban and Regional Research conducted the study. Research and expertise from gypsy and traveller communities supported the work.

In addition, the council is preparing a Local Development Framework for the whole of the district.

Work has started on a core strategy which will plot how areas can be developed including specific housing needs and the core policies for delivering them. Work on site-specific planning policies and allocations such as gypsy and traveller sites, if appropriate, will follow later this year.

Councillor Heath added: "This report is one of a number of pieces of research used to provide background intelligence to inform both the authority's housing strategy and the Local Development Framework.

“Once the report and its recommendations have been fully considered by officers and councillors, any implications for the Moorlands will be brought forward in an appropriate manner."

District council cabinet members will consider the findings of the report at a meeting next week (Tuesday, 12 February).