Travelling Showpeople

Since late 2007, the West Midlands Regional Planning has been asked by Government to review existing Regional Planning policy for the provision of Gypsy & Traveller sites and develop Planning policy for the provision of new pitches for Travelling Showpeople. This will be taken forward as part of the RSS Revision Phase 3 process in 2009.

In November 2007 the West Midlands Region submitted a Travelling Showpeople Supplement to Communities and Local Government. The Supplement provided an overview of the existing level of accommodation across the Region along with recommendations for future activity, where needed.

The Travelling Showpeople Supplement forms part of the Interim Regional Statement on Gypsy and Traveller Policy which was produced to cover the period until the completion of the RSS Revision Phase 3, to assist Local Planning Authorities in developing local plans for Gypsy & Traveller site provision.

Further evidence in connection to the accommodation needs of Travelling Showpeople has been provided through the six sub-regional Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs), which were completed by early 2008.

As part of work for the RSS Revision Phase 3 the Assembly has been working closely with the West Midlands branch of the Showmans Guild.
Travelling Showpeople are also represented on the West Midlands Regional Gypsy and Traveller Reference group, which is assisting the Assembly in preparation for the launch of the Phase 3 Public Consultation in Spring 2009.