Travelling People: Shipton-on-Stour

Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) representations her Department has received from and (b) discussions her Department has had with Stratford-on-Avon district council on the unauthorised development of a Traveller camp at Darlingscott, near Shipton-on-Stour in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Iain Wright
I cannot comment on the merits of any planning application or enforcement action that might be taken by the local authority given the quasi-judicial role of the Secretary of State. No formal representations have been received by the Department on the camp at Darlingscott. Officials from Stratford-on-Avon district council have provided a brief update to officials in my Department on the action the council has taken, but it is for local authorities to decide whether to enforce against breaches of development control.