Review of Traveller Site Proposals Scheduled for Early 2025

Wiltshire Council has stated that feedback from a consultation regarding proposals for new Gypsy and Traveller pitches will undergo review in early 2025. This announcement follows findings by the Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) charity, which revealed that merely 9% of local authorities responding to a Freedom of Information request possess transit provision within their jurisdictions. Abbie Kirkby, who serves as the head of policy and public affairs at FFT, commented, “This data should act as an urgent wake up call.” The council had been exploring the development of sites in locations such as Bushton, Edigonton, Cleverton, Rowde, Upper Seagry, and Potterne. Ms Kirkby further stated, “These shockingly low levels of transit site provision make it abundantly clear families are being failed nationally.” Transit sites are designated areas approved for temporary accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers, and FFT indicates that the need for secure stopping locations exceeds availability. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Wiltshire Council neither owned nor managed any transit sites or transit pitches on existing permanent sites throughout the county. Nick Botterill, a Wiltshire councillor, has stated that the forthcoming Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document aims to establish a “network of sites to meet the identified need up until 2038”. Mr Botterill commented: “We recognise there is a need for transit sites for Gypsies, Travellers and travelling show people in Wiltshire, and that’s why our emerging Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document has identified the need for three emergency stopping sites in the north, south and west of Wiltshire.” The Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document from Wiltshire Council details how the authority intends to supply 128 permanent pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and nine plots for travelling showpeople by the year 2038. A portion of these pitches will be secured through the intensification of existing Traveller sites, whereas others will be situated on entirely new locations.