Local planning authorities are required to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers in the same way that they assess the housing needs of other members of their local communities.
Local planning authorities do this through Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs). The GTAAs inform the preparation of policies in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS).
The RSS identifies the number of pitches required (but not the location); it is for local planning authorities to consider the location of the pitches required for their area, possibly in conjunction with neighbouring local planning authorities.