A PUBLIC consultation on four potential traveller sites across a patch covering three councils launches on Monday – but none are in Worcester.
The South Worcestershire councils of Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District are preparing a Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Site Allocations Development Plan Document.
It must identify sufficient land for traveller and travelling showpeople sites in order to meet the requirements of the 2019 Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTAA).
Current proposals include three pitches on Hillbee Farm, Upton, five at The Orchard, Knowle Hill, Evesham, two on Blossom Hill, Village St, Aldington, and six at Hughes Barn, Bretforton Road, Badsey.
It means sites have been put forward on the Wychavon and Malvern Hills patches but not in Worcester’s.
David Blake, chief executive of Worcester City Council said: “We put out a call for sites to be put forward for the provision of traveller and travelling showpeople sites.
“A couple were submitted for Worcester but none were considered suitable when assessed against the various criteria.
“We are aware this does leave a shortfall in our traveller and travelling showpeople accommodation provision.
“The fact there are no sites in Worcester in the plan does not prevent sites from being put forward in the future through the standard planning process.”
The councils consider the four sites may be suitable to deliver additional traveller pitches – one would be a new site and three would involve additional pitches on existing sites – and planning permission would still be required.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a virtual public meeting will be held on May 25 from 6.30pm, including a presentation from planning officers and an opportunity for the public to put forward questions.
Article originally appeared on Worcester News
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