Gypsy and traveller sites in local development plan

Bridgend County Borough Council has issued clarification over why its draft development masterplan includes sites that have been marked as potential locations for accommodating the needs of Gypsy and Traveller families.

The clarification follows comments and questions that have been asked on social media after sites in Bryncethin and Court Colman were listed within the replacement Local Development Plan (LDP).

Once finalised, the new LDP will be used to determine what kinds of development can take place throughout the area between now and 2033.

Not everyone chooses to live in ‘bricks and mortar’ style housing, and the LDP must recognise the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers to ensure that there is equality of opportunity for all parts of the community. Under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, councils are legally required to undertake accommodation assessments for Gypsies and Travellers. This places a duty on the council to meet identified needs for pitches, while Planning Policy Wales requires the council to ensure that appropriate sites are included within the LDP.

An assessment carried out in 2020 initially identified a need for seven pitches suitable for accommodating three families, but this has since changed to six pitches for two families, which would be accommodated on two small, family-based sites. Of the two proposed sites, one is on private land off Old Coachman’s Lane in Court Colman, and the other is on land to the north-east of the council depot in Bryncethin. If either site was to be used or developed, they would be subject to the council’s standard planning process.

It is important to note that the draft deposit LDP has been prepared for public consultation purposes. The proposals contained within it are not yet final, and there will be an opportunity for members of the public and the Gypsy and Traveller community to make formal representations and suggest further alternative locations if they so wish. I hope that this helps to address some of the questions and comments that have arisen on social media over the two proposed sites, and addresses some of the misinformation.

Councillor Stuart Baldwin, Cabinet Member for Communities

• The consultation will take place 1 June - 27 July 2021 - look out for more details on how you can take part and have your say soon.