Dorset Councils Join Forces Over Traveller Sites
30.06.2010
Dorset’s nine council’s are coming together to plan the Gypsy and traveller sites inspite of the Government’s lack of support and budget cuts.
After scrapping the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) the Government has now passed on the authority of finding and establishing traveller sites to local authorities.
The Council was initially required to find sites for 425 pitches across the county by 2011 but then stated the figure was too high. Now the local councils have joined forces and have three years to locate sites and provide another estimate of site requirement over the next 15 years.
Councillor Mike Evans in charge of the portfolio for minorities said there was a need for sites and it can’t be ignored but Government funding is required to see it through. He also said that providing sites is an effective way of avoiding illegal encampments.
Dorset Council has signed a contract of £250,000 with planning Consultants Baker Associates who will enquire with landowners about possible sites.
Almost £30 million was withdrawn from the budget for Gypsy and traveller sites in last months Homes and Communities agency budget cuts.