Proposals for a Transit Site for Gypsy Travellers Steve Hansford Chichester District Council

Why is this an issue? The Chichester area had 51 unauthorised encampments on public and private land this year – more than any other West Sussex Local Authority. Unauthorised encampments can disrupt local community facilities, and cost time and resources to manage. Without a Transit site provision the legal options to manage unauthorised encampments are limited. The experience of East Sussex is that a transit site coupled with strong multi agency management can significantly reduce unauthorised encampments.

Duty of CDC as a Housing Authority We have a duty to assess the accommodation needs of and make provision for the G&T community. Their needs have been assessed and provision will be dealt with as part of the local plan process. Required to provide for 59 permanent pitches from Chichester District and also a need identified for up to 10 transit pitches in West Sussex. A further study was commissioned by all Districts in West Sussex to look at issues of unauthorised encampments and solutions

Dealing with Unauthorised Encampments 1 Trespass is a civil act and it is for the landowner to seek repossession of their property via civil court procedures. The police have the discretion to use S61 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (CJPOA) to direct unauthorised campers to leave a site if certain conditions are met i.e. damage to property, violent behaviour. Police will only use this power if it is reasonable, appropriate and proportionate. If s61 is used cannot return to the site for 3 months.

Dealing with Unauthorised Encampments 2 The police may use a discretionary ‘power to direct’ under S62 CJPOA if there is a suitable LA site available. The Police consider this a feasible option if there are suitable facilities, but each case will be taken on its merit. If the site is managed by the County Council on behalf of all Districts in its area the ‘power to direct’ applies to the whole of West Sussex. Refusal to comply with a direction means those travellers cannot return to that area for 3 months.

What is a suitable site? A Transit site is an authorised site provided by Local Authority on a permanent basis which provides basic facilities and services for short term stays. CDC is proposing works at its Stane Street depot which has released land that could be used as a Transit site for short stays by Gypsies and Travellers. While the design has yet to be finalised, the space available would suggest capacity for 9 pitches. Gypsies and Travellers would have to sign agreements and pay for a pitch which may be for days or weeks, up to 12 weeks. Rental agreements would be enforced.

Site plan

Why does the site have to be there? The need for a Transit site is an issue across W/Sussex. No other site has been identified and Chichester District has had the greatest number of unauthorised encampments in the last two years. Works at the Depot have made the land available We will share the costs with other Councils. By working in partnership with Sussex Police, WSCC and the six other Districts and Boroughs in West Sussex, we have the most to gain from a Transit site.

How will the site be managed? It is proposed that the Transit site will be managed by West Sussex County Council. A multi-agency protocol will be agreed to manage both unauthorised encampments and arrangements for direction to the Transit site. Management of the site will include on site supervision, daytime only entry and exit from site for caravans, pitch fees will be charged and conditions of hire agreements. There will be controlled barrier access to the site, with CCTV, secure boundaries and screening.

What else is happening at the Depot The depot site is being refurbished, there are some old redundant buildings which will be demolished. We hope to create a wash bay, servicing bays and a one way system through the site. There will be sufficient parking spaces created to replace the area taken up by the transit site. There could be some commercial use of the site facilities for external goods vehicle services but the number of additional vehicle movements would be low.

What next? CDC Cabinet approved a report outlining the proposals on 3 rd December. Full Council will consider it on the 17 th December. If approved design consultants will be appointed and detailed designs worked up. A planning application will be made during February ‘14. There will be opportunities to consult on design and to express views through the planning process.