Council identifies need for gypsy and traveller sites

The Council is on the look-out for land for a residential, as well as a transit site for Gypsies and Travellers in the county.

The Council, working with Conwy County Borough Council, carried out an assessment need for accommodation for Gypsy and Travellers.   All local authorities across Wales are required to undertake such assessments, in line with the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

The assessment recognised the need for a six pitch residential site in Denbighshire, as well as a transit site for four to five pitches for those travelling through the county.

A permanent site would function as any other residential community where residents are provided with basic accommodation, such as individual amenity blocks, access to utilities, refuse facilities and collection service. As with any other rented accommodation, residents pay rent and council tax, pay for their own utilities and are required to abide by tenancy conditions.

Transit sites are permanent facilities designed for temporary use by occupiers, normally with a communal amenity block. Individual occupiers are permitted to stay on the site for up to three months at a time.

Currently, there are no existing permanent or transit sites in Denbighshire.

The next steps is to review all suitable land currently in Denbighshire and to encourage landowners to put forward any privately owned sites forward for consideration.  Any expressions of interest should be forwarded to ldp@denbighshire.gov.uk.  The closing date for submissions is 8 November, 2017.

For more information, please visit: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/gypsiesandtravellers.