To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a full copy of the recent Planning Inspectorate ruling in relation to the retrospective planning application for a traveller site in Minety, Wiltshire. (230414)

A copy of the decision (reference APP/J3910/A/08/2064463) has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's policy is on small groups of local authorities working together to produce a joint strategy to make provision for Travellers on (a) a temporary and (b) a permanent basis; what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on the matter; and if she will make a statement. (230427)

[holding answer 27 October 2008]: The Housing Act 2004 requires local authorities to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers living in and resorting to their area and to act strategically to prepare a strategy in respect of the meeting of such accommodation needs.

The Department welcomes joint working between local authorities in planning for the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers across local authority and regional boundaries. Many local authorities have already produced their Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessments in partnership with neighbouring areas. Planning policy on Gypsy and Traveller sites is contained within ODPM Circular 01/2006 "Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites". This confirms that joint Development Plan Documents can be prepared on a sub-regional basis to identify the location of Gypsy and Traveller sites, so long as there is agreement by all of the local planning authorities involved.