What is the Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations Development Plan Document?
In 2019, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council adopted a Borough Plan which planned for development in the Borough until 2031. In terms of residential need, the Council was required to plan for the whole community, including planning for Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showperson provision.
Therefore, the Council commissioned a Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showperson Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) to assess the need for gypsy and traveller residential pitches, transit pitches and travelling showperson plots in the Borough. The identified need was for at least 6 permanent residential pitches to accommodate Gypsies and Travellers by 2025; and at least a further 5 permanent residential pitches beyond those required by 2025, so that, in total, at least 11 permanent residential pitches are available to accommodate Gypsies and Travellers by 2037.
To support the Council in meeting the evidenced need, a Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) was produced, allocating and safeguarding sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the Borough.
The DPD sets out a plan to provide sufficient pitches to meet the needs of the travelling community, to provide provision in sustainable locations with good access to local services and to provide provision in such a way that the local environment is protected and, where appropriate, enhanced.
Adoption process - Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations DPD
The decision to adopt the Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations DPD was ratified during an extraordinary Council meeting on 17 January 2024.
The decision followed several public consultation stages including from 4 September to 16 October 2023, and confirmation from the Planning Inspector that the DPD was sound and suitable for adoption by the Council, subject to some modifications.
The document is be a material consideration for planning applications, appeals and enforcement by the Council.
The adopted Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations DPD and associated adoption documents are available to view.
Documents relating to the development of the Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations DPD are also available to view below:
- Gypsies and Traveller - Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessments
- Gypsies and Travellers - Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations
- Gypsies and Travellers - Pre-Issues and Options
- Gypsies and Travellers - Issues and Options
- Gypsies and Travellers - Site Allocations Issues and Options (2021)
- Gypsies and Travellers - Preferred Options
- Gypsies and Travellers - Publication Stage
- Gypsies and Travellers - Key Documents
- Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations Development Plan Document - Main and Additional Modifications consultation
- Gypsies and Travellers - Examination Documents
As the Borough Plan was superseded by the Borough Plan Review in December 2025, and a new Local Plan is underway (the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Local Plan), will the GTAA be updated?
As part of the preparatory work for the emerging Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Local Plan, officers have been commissioning key evidence base studies to support the Plan, including a new GTAA. This will inform the new Local Plan.