GPN 4 Part E: Sources of Further Information and Advice

02-Feb-07

Index to Resources on This Page

The resources available on this page include:

  • About these guidelines - an introduction to GPN4 and links to printable versions of the†practice notes
  • News - updates on this rapidly evolving area of practice
  • A glossary - translating the many technical terms and acronyms used
  • Sources of further information - a signpost link to other electronic sources of information and organisations that can provide help
  • A bibliography - including lists of legislation and cases
  • Acknowledgements - of the role of many who helped draft the GPN 4 Series
  • A discussion forum for users of the guidance will be added in the near future, but in the meantime have your say.

Click on the links above or scroll down to view each of these sections.

Comments and suggested improvements are welcome and should be addressed to practice@rtpi.org.uk

About These Guidelines

In 2006, the Royal Town Planning Institute assembled a Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Group to research and debate the lack of suitable accommodation for the Gypsy and Traveller communities. The Advisory Group has steered the publication of the RTPI Good Practice Note 4 Series, which was launched at an RTPI conference on 1 March 2007.

The RTPI established specialist sub-groups of expert volunteers and staff to draft the guidance, volunteers came from the RTPI Associations and Networks, Planning Aid and external organisations. In order to draw in yet more experience, specialist practitioners participated throughout the ongoing consultation process, which included an evidence gathering seminar held at the offices of Planning Aid in Birmingham, where members of Gypsy and Traveller Communities met strategic planners, development management officers, enforcement officers, Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officers, housing officers, site managers and other relevant professionals.

The GPN 4 Series contains advice under five headings:

Although this guidance is intended primarily for planning practitioners, there are clear benefits in making it available to other parties involved in the planning process – for example, to communities and their representatives, to stakeholders, to interest groups and to consultees generally.

 

News

Serve on an Independent Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessment Panel

Broadlands District Council in Norfolk are looking for a chartered town planner to serve as an  member of their new independent Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessment Panel.  Click here to view the proposed terms of reference and a web page from which you can express interest in this role, by 3 September 2007.

14/08/07

RTPI and NAPE Respond to Caravan Stop Notice Consultation

The RTPI and NAPE have responded to proposals to revise Stop Notice procedures for caravans.  Click here to view the response.

29/05/07

RTPI and NAPE Respond to Travelling Showpeople Draft Circular

The RTPI and NAPE have broadly welcomed a draft CLG circular providing advice on planning for Travelling Showpeople.  Common definitions under the housing legislation mean that Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpeoples' accommodation needs are assessed in a common process. However, our response emphasises the need to take into account the distinct cultural and business requirements of Travelling Showpeople, ensuring that these are not subsumed in housing needs, policies and allocations designed to serve Gypsy and Traveller communities.  Click here to view the response.

25/04/07

Minister and RTPI President Launch GPN 4 at RTPI Gypsy and Traveller Conference

DCLG Under Secretary of State Meg Munn, RTPI President Jim Claydon and Lord Avebury spoke at a RTPI Conference on 1 March 2007 to launch the GPN 4 Series guidance. The conference expressed strong support for CLG, PAS and RTPI's work to improve planning processes and outcomes for Gypsy and Traveller Communities.

The main issues of concern to delegates were:

  • the urgent need to eliminate racism from the consideration of proposals relating to Gypsy and Traveller communities;
  • the urgent need to provide lawful accommodation: translating the outcomes of Accommodation Needs Assessments into allocations and planning permissions on the ground in a way that does not leave communities in housing stress or uncertainty for long periods;
  • to make progress towards the development of an accommodation market that address both need and reasonable demand, in terms of choices of location and tenure; and
  • to continue to share practice approaches.

 

  • Click here to read the Minister's speech.
  • Click here to view a more detailed†article on the conference.

The RTPI will be adding to this web page in the near future to provide further access to case studies and to provide a forum for practice discussions. Watch this space.

02/03/2007

 

Glossary

GPN 4 Series uses the following terms:

  • AAP Area Action Plans
  • AMR Annual Monitoring Report
  • DoE The former Department of the Environment
  • DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government
  • DPD Development Plan Document
  • GTAA Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment
  • GTANA Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment
  • Housing Act Housing Act 2004
  • LDD Local Development Document
  • LDF Local Development Framework
  • LDS Local Development Scheme
  • LHS Local Housing Strategy
  • LPA Local Planning Authority
  • Planning Act Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
  • PPS Planning Policy Statement
  • RHS Regional Housing Strategy
  • RRA Race Relations Act
  • RSL Registered Social Landlord
  • RSS Regional Spatial Strategy (references to RSS also apply to the Mayor of London’s Spatial Development Strategy)
  • SCI Statement of Community Involvement
  • SPD Supplementary Planning Document
  • Return to GPN 4 Index

Sources of Further Information

Electronic Documents

 

Organisations

  • The Royal Town Planning Institute
    41 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DL.020 7929 9494
    www.rtpi.org.uk
  • National Planning Aid Unit
    419 The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA. 0121 766 528
    www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk
  • Department for Communities and Local Government
    Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU. 020 7944 4400
    www.communities.gov.uk
  • Commission for Racial Equality
    St Dunstan’s House, 201–211 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1GZ. 020 7939 0000
    www.cre.gov.uk
  • Local Government Association
    Local Government House, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ. 020 7664 3000
    www.lga.gov.uk
  • National Association of Local Councils
    109 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LD. 020 7637 1865
    www.nalc.gov.uk
  • The Planning Inspectorate
    Kite Wing, TempleQuay House, 2 The Square, TempleQuay, Bristol, BS1 6PN. 0117 372 6372
    www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk
  • Association of Chief Police Officers
    25 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0EX. 020 7227 3434
    www.acpo.police.uk
  • National Association of Gypsy and Traveller Officers
    c/o Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, SO23 9DS.
    www.nagto.co.uk
  • Planning Advisory Service (PAS)
    Improvement and Development Agency, 76–86 Turnmill Street, London, EC1M 5LG.
    020 7296 6880 (ihelp)
    pas@idea.gov.uk www.pas.gov.uk
  • Friends, Families and Travellers
    Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG. 01273 234 777
    fft@communitybase.org www.gypsy-traveller.org
  • Irish Traveller Movement in Britain
    Banderway House, 156 – 162 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 4JD. 020 7625 2255
    info@irishtraveller.org.uk www.itmtrav.com
  • National Travellers Action Group
    7 Woodside Park, Hatch Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 1PT. 01767 689 736
    codona@aol.com
  • The Gypsy Council
    Spring Lane Caravan Park, Bickerton, Wetherby, North Yorkshire, LS22 5ND. 01937 842 782

 

Bibliography

Major Sources

  • Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) 2006, Common Ground: Equality, good race relations and sites for Gypsies and Irish Travellers http://www.cre.gov.uk
  • Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Racial Equality Council 2006, Here to Stay: An exploratory study into the needs and preferences of Gypsy/Traveller communities in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2006, Local authorities and Gypsies and Travellers: Guide to responsibilities and powers
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2006, Guide to effective use of Enforcement powers. Part 1: Unauthorised encampments
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2006, Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments, Draft Practice Guidance
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2006 (Former ODPM), Circular 01/06 Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 1991, Circular 22/91 Travelling showpeople
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2004, Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Frameworks
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 1991, Planning Policy Guidance 18: Enforcing Planning Control
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 1994, Circular 18/94, Gypsy Sites Policy and Unauthorised Camping
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2004, Managing Unauthorised Camping
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2006, Circular 01/06, Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2005, Circular 02/05, Temporary Stop Notice (Model Temporary Stop Notice Temporary re-issued 23rd May 2005)
  • Department for Communities and Local Government 2002, Circular 02/02, Enforcement Appeals Procedures
  • Department of the Environment, 1997, Circular 10/97, Enforcing Planning Control: Legislative Provisions and Procedural Requirements
  • Department of the Environment, 1994, Circular 18/94, Gypsy Sites Policy and Unauthorised Camping
  • Department of the Environment, 1997, Good Practice Guide for Local Planning Authorities on Enforcing Planning Control
  • ODPM, 2005, Circular 02/05, Temporary Stop Notice
  • Niner, P. 2002, The Provision and Condition of Local Authority Gypsy/Traveller Sites in England(ODPM)
  • Home, R. & Greenfields, M. 2005, Cambridge Sub-Regional Traveller Needs Assessment (Cambridgeshire County Council)

Statutes

  • Race Relations (Amendment) Act, 2000, HMSO
  • Town and Country Planning Act, 1990, HMSO
  • Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, 1994, HMSO
  • Human Rights Act, 1998, HMSO
  • Race Relations Act, 1976, HMSO
  • Town and Country Planning (Temporary Stop Notices) (England) Regulations, 2005, HMSO

Rules and Orders

  • Rules of the Supreme Court: RSC Ord. [110], [r.[1]]
  • County Court Rules: CCR Ord. [49], [r.[7]]
  • Civil Procedure Rules 1998: CPR [6]

Cases

As part of the development of the GPN4 series, a substantial list of cases was assembled. This included the preparation of a more detailed case commentary than was finally published. The reason for removing much of this commentary from the finally published GPN was twofold:

  • to maintain the intent of a practice note as a quick handy reference for professionals, as distinct from a textbook that could provide more detailed commentary; and
  • to ensure that, where potentially complex questions of law arise, planners seek timely advice from legally qualified professionals.

The cases referred to are listed below. Any member wishing to gain access to the more detailed commentary may do so by contacting practice@rtpi.org.uk . However, the material will be supplied subject to agreement that it does not necessarily represent a completely up-to-date statement of law, it will be used for general professional development purposes only and that legal advice should be sought to support action in individual cases.

  • South Bucks DC v. Porter (2001) EWCA Civ 1549
  • Connors v. United Kingdom (2005) 40 EHRR 9
  • Kay and Ors v. Lambeth London Borough Council & Ors: Price & Ors v. LeedsCity Council (2006) UKHL10
  • James Casey & Ors v. Crawley Bough Council & ODPM (2006) EWHC 301
  • South Buckingham District Council v. (1) Andrew Smith (2) James Smith (2006) EWHC 281
  • Connors v. Reigate & Banstead BC (1999)
  • South Bucks CC v. Porter (2003) 2 AC 558
  • South Cambridgeshire District Council v. Persons Unknown (2004) EWCA Civ 1280
  • South Cambridgeshire District Council v. Gammell and Ors: Bromley Borough Council v. Winnie Maughan & Ors (2005) EWCA Civ 1429
  • SalisburyDC v. Le Roi (2001) EWCA Civ 1490
  • South Bucks District Council v. Poter (2003) UKHL 26
  • Mid Bedfordshire District Council v Brown (2004) EWCA Civ 1709
  • Mid Bedfordshire District Council v. Gammell (2005) EWCA Civ 1429
  • Wychavon District Council v. Rafferty (2006) EWCA Civ 628
  • Mid Bedfordshire District Council v. Brown (2006) EWHC 1362 QB

Further Reading

Northern Ireland

  • Ellis G. & McWhirter, C. 2004, Good Practice Guide to Promote Racial Equality in Planning for Travellers (The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland) www.equalityni.org
  • National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee, 2004, Review of the Operation of the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 www.environ.ie

Wales

  • Niner, P. 2006, Accommodation Needs of Gypsy-Travellers in Wales, (National Assembly for Wales)
  • National Assembly for Wales, 2005, Guidance on Managing Unauthorised Camping
  • National Assembly for Wales, 2002, Black, Minority Ethnic Housing Action Plan for Wales

Republic of Ireland

Scotland

  • Scottish Executive, 2004, Guidelines for Managing Unauthorised Camping by Gypsies/Travellers in Scotland www.scotland.gov.uk

 

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the authors of this good practice note:

  • Glenn Crocker
  • Graeme Duerden
  • Ahsan Gafoor
  • John Hardy
  • John Pounder
  • Lee Prebble
  • Rebekah Richards
  • Julian Steed

Thanks should also go to:

  • David Barraclough
  • Margaret Greenfields
  • Steve Staines
  • All members of the RTPI Gypsy and Traveller Advisory Group and everyone else who has contributed to the guidance.
  • National Planning Aid Unit and Planning Aid West Midlands for accommodation and assistance.

RTPI staff involvement:

  • Deborah Hendon-Jones (Project Manager)
  • Rhian Brimble (Technical Referee and Sub-editor)
  • Sarah Lewis (Editor)
  • Rynd Smith (Head of Policy and Practice)

 

Have Your Say

Please provide any comments on GPN4, news items and suggestions for resources to be listed on this page to practice@rtpi.org.uk.

 

 

 
Author:
Rynd Smith, Sarah Lewis and Deborah Hendon Jones
Publisher:
The Royal Town Planning Institute
Date:
02-Feb-07
Categories:
Practice 
Sections:
What Planning Does

This article has been read 303385 times.