Search launched for new traveller sites across Norfolk
There's a hunt for new sites for caravans, as thousands of new homes are set to be built across the county in the coming years
Last updated 12th Sep 2022
Officials are launching a new search for suitable sites for gypsies and travellers in the city and its outskirts.
The exercise is part of the process of drawing up the Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP), a blueprint for where 50,000 new homes could be built in Norwich, South Norfolk and Broadland by 2038.
The government officials tasked with approving the scheme say it will not be rubber-stamped until sites for 18 to 20 gypsy and traveller pitches have been earmarked.
This has proved a stumbling block as the three district authorities involved – Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk District Council – have yet to agree any sites.
Three locations were previously identified – in Cawston, Costessey and Wymondham – but these were rejected by South Norfolk Council (SNC).
In July, John Fuller, the SNC leader, condemned to process of selecting sites as “clearly unreasonable”.
He also rejected the government inspectors’ suggestion that the entire GNLP should fail without the pitches being allocated, accusing them of “gambling” the entire plan.
Instead, he called for a separate gypsy and travellers plan to be created instead.
In a new written exchange, government inspectors have warned against this approach, saying it could slow down the entire process and potentially reduce the number of proposed mixed-use sites – areas used for general housing and traveller pitches.
The inspectors added: “We are also not persuaded that there are good reasons to treat gypsies and travellers differently from the settled community in not allocating sites for housing for this group of people in the plan.”
GNLP officers are now seeking a scheme acceptable to the three councils, who must agree unanimously.
They have told the inspectors they will seek to identify a greater range of possible sites, allowing for more choice and geographical spread.
To do this the councils will be speaking with the gypsy and traveller community, looking at proposed housing sites in the plan to see whether they could provide pitches.
New sites should be mapped by mid-October with the councils’ cabinets expected to give the sign-off on a public consultation by January 18.