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To:

Theo Furness

Executive Member for Regeneration

Date:

17/01/2024

From:

Alex Conti

Strategic Policy Manager

Ref:

AC/

1.0

Purpose of this Report

1.1 

To set out the considerations in meeting the housing needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople through the new Local Plan.

2.0

Background

Statutory Requirement

2.1 

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 places a statutory duty on local planning authorities to prepare a local plan for their areas, and for the plan to set out a planning framework that meets the identified needs and aspirations of that area.

Compliance with National Policy

2.2 

In preparing their local plans, Council’s must take account of national planning policy, mainly set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) but also in other policy statements. One of these is the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites. Compliance with the national policy is a key test of soundness for local plans going through Independent Examinations.

Assessment of Need in Middlesbrough

2.3 

The Council commissioned consultants to undertake a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment in 2023, which sought to understand the housing needs of the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople communities in Middlesbrough Council for the period to 2041. The work included direct consultation with the established Gypsy and Traveller community at Metz Bridge, and Travelling Showpeople community at North Ormesby. The study found that there was a need to provide an addition 14 Gypsy and Traveller pitches and 3 additional plots for Travelling Showpeople during the period.

2.4 

The need for the additional pitches and plots comes entirely from projected household growth arising from the established communities, rather than any in-migration.

Assessing Sites

2.5 

The Council undertook a ‘call for sites’ in later 2022/early 2023 for all types of development, including for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. No private sites were put forward for consideration.

2.6 

Council Officers subsequently undertook an assessment of Council owned land, of a size which could accommodate up to 20 pitches (similar to Metz Bridge) to consider the options for using Council-owned land to meet the identified need. These sites included:

• Teessaurus Park

• Cannon Park (2 sites)

• Land adjacent to TA Centre, Longlands Road

• Land north of Mandale Road

2.7 

The assessment also included the following sites, which were subsequently ruled out as no longer being available for various reasons:

• Lloyd Street Depot (land sale for alternative use progressed)

• Stainsby Road (land identified in Draft Local Plan for School or Housing)

• Stockton Street, Middlehaven (land will no longer be in Council ownership due to transfer to MDC (along with other land at Middlehaven))

2.8 

Of the sites that were left in the assessment, Teessaurus Park was assessed as being most suitable, partly because it is well located near to the established community. Further details of this assessment, and the assessment of need, will be made available for the consultation on the Draft Local Plan.

What is going to happen to the dinosaur sculptures?

2.9 

The Draft Local Plan seeks retain public access to the dinosaur sculptures, either on the existing site, or by relocating the sculptures to a suitable alternative location which could include a park or open space. The proposed policy also requires the retention of public access to the undeveloped part of Teessaurus Park, which includes a Local Wildlife Site, and to the River Tees. 

3.0

Conclusion

3.1 

To note the approach taken.

4.0

Further Information

4.1

Alex Conti

Strategic Policy Manager