Growth plan proposes new traveller sites in Lincoln and West Lindsey

Included in major plans to build an additional 28,000 new homes with related infrastructure in Central Lincolnshire is a proposal to meet gypsy and traveller needs with six new sites in Lincoln and West Lindsey.

The next phase of Central Lincolnshire councils’ Draft Local Plan has indicated sites for 28,095 new homes in Lincoln and surrounding districts, totalling 36,960 homes built between 2012 and 2036.

The plans indicate new traveller pitches in Lincoln, to be developed as extensions to the existing Washingborough Road site in the city.

The sites allocated, along with those in West Lindsey, could accommodate up to 53 traveller pitches.

Proposals for the sites would be subject to a list of requirements for planners such as safe access, no risk to flooding or landscape character and location.

Draft Local Plan Gypsy and Traveller site allocations.

Kate Ellis, Assistant Director for Planning and Regeneration at City of Lincoln Council, said: “A gypsy and traveller accommodation assessment was completed in 2013 for Central Lincolnshire and identified the need for 71 additional traveller pitches.

“Thirty-two pitches are required within the first five years of the plan. Allocations have been proposed for several sites across Lincoln and West Lindsey to meet this need in the short term and work is ongoing to identify additional sites to deliver pitches to meet the needs over the longer term.

“Local Authorities have a statutory requirement to assess the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers under section 225 of the Housing Act 2004. This can also mean the need for a strategy to be produced to set out how this identified need can be addressed under section 87 of the Local Government Act 2003 (as amended).

“Criteria to assess any further sites brought forward has been developed locally with a view to providing sustainable sites in appropriate locations. This is included within the plan for consultation.”