Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations her Department has received on the law in relation to gypsy caravan sites; and if she will establish a review of the operation of the relevant legislation.

Mr. Iain Wright
The Department receives a variety of correspondence in relation to Gypsy and Traveller policy. In December 2007, the independent Task Group on Site Provision and Enforcement for Gypsies and Travellers published its final report. It concluded that the Government's policy of firm but fair enforcement with proactive measures to increase site provision was the right approach. The Government published its response to the Task Group's report in April 2008. There are no plans to establish a review of the relevant Act(s).

Mr. Pickles
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what restrictions exist on building traveller sites on sites of special scientific interest.

Mr. Iain Wright
Circular 1/06, “Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites”, makes it clear that, in areas with nationally recognised designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, as with any other form of development, planning permission for Gypsy and Traveller sites should only be granted where it can be demonstrated that the objectives of the designation will not be compromised by the development.