GPN 4: Planning For Gypsies and Travellers

02-Feb-07

One of the key roles of planning is to, “address accessibility for all members of the community to jobs, health, housing, education, shops, leisure and facilities”, a basic requirement of the planning system as set out in PPS1 for England. Whilst there are examples of good practice, planning has not addressed these issues well for Gypsy and Traveller communities. There are insufficient sites, services and opportunities for people who wish to pursue a nomadic lifestyle.

This GPN is presented in a series of five complementary parts. It aims to help practitioners deliver satisfactory services to Gypsy and Traveller communities. There is a strong focus on integrated, effective service delivery through the optimum use of stakeholder resources and partnership working.

This GPN series is primarily written for planners working in England. However, it will provide assistance for non-planning stakeholders involved in planning and service delivery processes and to planners outside England.

Research and policy background

The RTPI convened its Gypsy and Traveller Working Party in 2005, involving NAPE, Planning Aid, CLG, PAS, planners in practice and members of Gypsy and Traveller Communities. This GPN responds to the practice issues raised by developments in research and policy and to oral evidence provided in a hearing held at Birmingham for members of Gypsy and Traveller communities and planners.

GPN4 was launched at an RTPI conference on 1 March 2007, addressed by Meg Munn MP, RTPI President Jim Claydon and Lord Avebury.