Wiltshire Council to Review Traveller Site Proposals in Early 2025

Wiltshire Council has announced that feedback from a public consultation regarding proposals for new Gypsy and Traveller pitches is scheduled for review in early 2025. This development follows a discovery by the Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) charity, which revealed that merely 9% of local authorities responding to a Freedom of Information request currently offer 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 has been exploring potential site developments in 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 defined as authorized locations for Gypsies and Travellers to stay for short periods, and FFT asserts that the availability of safe stopping places is insufficient to meet demand. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that Wiltshire Council currently neither owns nor manages any transit sites or transit pitches situated on permanent sites throughout the county. Wiltshire councillor Nick Botterill has indicated 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 stated: “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 outlines the council’s strategy to deliver 128 permanent pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and nine plots for travelling showpeople by the year 2038. These pitches will be secured partly through the intensification of existing Traveller sites and partly through the creation of entirely new sites.