Have your say on Travellers' transit site in Surrey
It would be the first of its kind in the county
A public consultation is now underway on proposals for a Gyspy, Roma and Traveller transit site in Surrey.
It would be the first temporary Travellers site in the county - with ten short-term accommodation pitches in Merstham in Tandridge, on land next to the permanent site at Pendall Camp.
Surrey County Council say it has been working closely with Surrey Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) and district and borough councils "to meet Gypsy, Roma and Traveller needs and to reduce the impact of unauthorised encampments across the county."
It said such sites are used by some Traveller families who move around seeking seasonal work.
Residents can pre-book and are able to stay for up to four weeks.
The council is asking for the public's views on a draft proposal, ahead of a formal planning application proposal for the site.
The application is being submitted to the council this Autumn.
Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property said, “We want to reduce the number of unauthorised encampments across Surrey which often cause significant disruption, environmental damage and cost to communities and landowners, whilst also putting a strain on police resources.
"In order to reduce the occurrence of these encampments, we need to provide temporary accommodation for the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community as they travel through our county to assist the Police to be able to act in these circumstances.
“Experience in neighbouring counties shows that the provision of transit sites significantly reduces the number of unauthorised encampments.
“We’re encouraging residents to give us their views – both now, before the planning application is made, and during the statutory consultation period in the autumn.”
Surrey County Council has been working closely with specialist planning and design consultants and other stakeholders, developing a masterplan for the new site that focuses on key environmental matters (considering the site’s location in the Green Belt and Surrey Hill Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), proposed access arrangements, safety and security, and effective site management.
More information and the consultation survey is available here until 08 October 2021: https://www.surreysays.co.uk/iai/pendell-camp-merstham-road-proposal/