To recommend to council that the Herefordshire travellers’ sites development plan document (DPD) 2018 -2031 is adopted. 

The Government’s guidance Planning policy for Traveller Sites requires local planning authorities to make provision for traveller sites within their local plans. The adopted core strategy includes a commitment for the council to do so through a travellers sites DPD.  This DPD has been prepared in accordance with the core strategy and government guidance.  It has been subject to independent examination by a government appointed inspector.  The inspector has concluded that it can provide an acceptable supply of pitches over the next five years and with the main modifications meets the government’s test of soundness. 

The adoption of the DPD supports the objectives of the Council’s Equality Policy adopted in 2017 as outlined in paragraph 15 below. 

Authority for making any further additional modifications could be delegated to the relevant cabinet member; as the modifications covered by this delegation would not affect the basis of the DPD.  In exercising such delegated authority the officer is required to consult with the cabinet member for infrastructure and transport.  Therefore the proposed delegation provides the most efficient way of maintaining a clear and consistent set of development plan documentation.

That:

(a)        the Herefordshire Travellers sites Development Plan Document  (DPD) 2018-2031 (appendix 4 and at https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200185/local_plan/796/travellers_sites_document_examination/7), incorporating the Planning Inspector’s recommended main modifications (appendix 2) and the schedules of additional modifications (appendix 3) be recommended to Council for adoption; and

(b)       it be recommended to Council that delegated authority be given to the programme director growth to make any further minor modifications, (e.g. typographical) to ensure consistency with other development plan documentation.

1.            There is an alternative option for the council not to adopt the DPD.  However, this is not recommended given that the inspector has concluded that the DPD is sound.  In addition, there would be little, if any, improvement in the council’s five year land supply of traveller pitches.  Furthermore not adopting the plan could conflict with the approved objectives of the Council’s Equality Plan 2017-2019.

2.            If the council decided to make changes to the plan, there would be considerable delay in progressing the DPD, given the requirements for further public consultation as well as public examination which would be required to progress any amended DPD.  There would also be additional financial costs associated with this.  The further consultation and examination would be necessary as there is not an option to adopt the DPD with only some of the proposed main modifications that came out of the examination process.  By definition the DPD is now considered to be sound on the basis of its full content.  If the main modifications were not included, the DPD would not be sound and it could not be recommended for adoption.

3.            Cabinet could decide to defer this decision or recommend to council that the decision is deferred but this is not recommended for the reasons set out above.

4.            The schedule of additional modifications does not affect the basis of the DPD and as such an alternative could be to recommend adoption without the schedule of additional modifications.  However as this schedule aids the clarity of the document and ensures the plan is up to date this option is not recommended.