Agenda item

Background:

The report outlined proposed steps to address the needs for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in Medway. The submission version of the Medway Local Plan 2041 did not meet the full needs of the Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Show People. Published correspondence between the Council and the inspectors, appointed to examine the Plan, had set out actions for the Council to identify a sufficient supply of land to meet needs. The Council had confirmed that it would carry out actions to seek to increase certainty on meeting the identified needs for this specialist accommodation through the Plan. This was critical to the timing and progress of the Local Plan. The Council had reviewed land in its ownership to identify further capacity for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation. It had also held a ‘Call for Sites’ to identify if there was suitable land in other ownership. 

The report presented three options for consideration in relation to this site, with further detail and clarity to enable a formal decision on the way forward. Additional information contained in an addendum report circulated separately in Supplementary Agenda No.2, set out the outcome of the Call for Sites exercise and review of Council owned land in its consideration of the options for the former Wigmore Park and Ride site. The addendum report also sought support for a proposed minor modification to the Local Plan policies map to clarify the existing and consented gypsy and traveller sites to be safeguarded in accordance with policy T10 in the submitted draft Medway Local Plan. The addendum report stated that if the Wigmore site was allocated for gypsy and traveller accommodation, the Planning Service would carry out focused consultation as a proposed main modification to the submitted plan.

It was noted that the capital budget requested did not consider any external funding that could possibly be secured. At this stage funding could not be guaranteed, but officers were confident external funding could be secured which would reduce spend of the capital budget.

An Exempt Appendix C contained the financial appraisal and cash flow modelling.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was attached at Appendix D to the report.

Reasons:

The decisions in this report are required to ensure progress and adoption of the Local Plan and for the Council to meet the identified accommodation need for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller sites in Medway.