Policy HO9
Gypsy and traveller accommodation
The council will seek to address the joint Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs over the Plan period, as identified in the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (2022).
The council will work closely with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and any other relevant partners to protect, improve and, if necessary, increase the capacity of the existing gypsy and traveller site at Stable Way.
Applications for additional sites should meet the requirements set out in the National Planning Policy for Traveller Sites 2024.
4.72 The council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) jointly provide a site for 20 travellers' pitches on land in RBKC to the east of the White City Opportunity Area (1 is taken up by a community centre). Following engagement with the local traveller community, an update to the Joint Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment was completed in 2022. The assessment identified there will not be a need for additional pitches across RBKC and H&F over the 15 years following the update to the assessment.
London wide needs assessment
4.73 The Mayor of London has initiated an update to the London Boroughs' Gypsy and Traveller Needs Assessment (GTANA). This will provide an updated identified need when it is completed.
4.74 Further work together with RBKC and other stakeholders is required to establish how provision can be made for the Gypsy and Traveller community living in Stable Way and to meet any further need identified in the London GTANA, should this arise following publication.
4.75 Suggested Glossary definition - Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own or their family's or dependants' educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, and all other persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in a caravan, but excluding members of an organised group of travelling showpeople or circus people travelling together as such.
4.76 The definition of 'gypsies and travellers' is provided in the National Planning Policy Guidance.