Other pages within this area contain the following information:
Other information within this area:
(You may find it useful to read our Help before downloading information.)
Back to top of page...
Hastings Borough Council is working with East Sussex County Council, the other local authorities in the area and Sussex Police to achieve greater harmony between Gypsies and Travellers and the general ‘settled’ communities in the area. This work is based on the East Sussex Traveller Strategy which Hastings Borough Council – and the other local authorities in the county – adopted in autumn 2006.
There is a shortage of authorised Traveller sites, UK-wide and in East Sussex. A major problem stemming from this is the disruption and conflict which arises with settled residents when Travellers stay on unauthorised sites.
To address this in Hastings and St Leonards, we are planning to create an authorised ‘transit site’ for short stays by Travellers, while working with the county council to identify additional residential Traveller sites in East Sussex for the next five years. We aim to choose a transit site during spring 2007 and to have developed it by late 2007 or 2008, provided we can secure planning permission and funding.
Allocating an authorised site will enable us to provide basic facilities and manage the accommodation of Travellers more effectively, for the benefit of Travellers and the rest of the community. It will help Gypsies and Travellers obtain better healthcare, education and social services, whereas today they are one of the most socially disadvantaged minorities in the county.
It will also enable the police to evict Travellers more effectively from unauthorised sites. The law provides the police with robust powers to remove Travellers from unauthorised sites in a matter of days – but only if there is a suitable authorised site nearby.
In addition, we are legally obliged to consider Gypsies’ and Travellers’ accommodation needs in our housing strategy, to educate Traveller children and to treat Gypsies and Travellers based on principles of fairness and equality.
Overall, we are working to forge a constructive solution that respects the interests of both the general community and Gypsies and Travellers, rather than taking a confrontational approach.
Back to top of page...
In early January 2007, the Council Cabinet approved a short-list of three potential locations for further consideration. The short-list of locations in West St Leonards, north Hastings and central Hastings was drawn up, according to government guidelines, from a thorough assessment of over 20 locations. The Council is seeking minimum disruption to the community and environment as well as taking account of other potential uses for each site.
We intend to submit a planning application for one of these short-listed locations in March or April, with a view to turning it into a transit site by late 2007 or 2008. We hope to receive a grant from central Government to fund the development, so it will not be a burden on our council tax budget.
Meanwhile, we talked to community representatives and Travellers in January and early February to explain what we are doing and to listen to views. This consultation closed on Monday 5 February.
Back to top of page...
This page last updated: 23/02/2007