Statement of Common Ground between Leeds City Council and Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange. Site Allocations Plan Examination

Transcription

1 Statement of Common Ground between Leeds City Council and Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange Representation No(s) and Stage: PDE02758 (Publication Draft) Site Allocations Plan Examination Leeds Local Plan

2 1 Introduction / Context 1.1 This statement of common ground has been prepared jointly between the parties consisting of Leeds City Council ( the Council ) and Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange ( Leeds GATE ). 1.2 The statement sets out the main points of agreement been both parties with regard to the submitted Leeds City Council Site Allocations Plan - May 2017 ( the Plan ). These form issues which Leeds GATE do not seek to pursue during the examination of the Site Allocations Plan. The statement also highlights the key outstanding uncommon ground between the parties. The statement is intended to assist the Inspectors during the examination of the Plan. 1.3 The issues within this statement relate solely to provision of Gypsy and Traveller (excluding Travelling Showpeople) accommodation within the Plan. 2 Background 2.1 The Council and Leeds GATE have been working positively together throughout the preparation of the Plan in respect to Gypsy and Traveller issues. 2.2 Leeds GATE made formal representations to the Plan at Publication Draft stage. The representation provided comments relating to the overall approach to Gypsy and Traveller provision as well as separate comments on the appropriateness of individual sites. 2.3 No formal comments on the Plan have been received from Leeds GATE since the Publication Draft stage. However, the Council and Leeds GATE have continuously worked closely together, held regular meetings and the Council has received various informal comments which have helped shaped the Plan. 2.4 In particular Leeds GATE has had a fundamental role in establishing and supporting an approach to Negotiated Stopping provision. This was signalled in the Core Strategy and with Leeds GATE s support has resulted in an operational management approach being agreed by the Council in July Whilst Leeds GATE largely support the Plan some uncommon ground still exists. These concerns largely surround the Core Strategy requirements for private Gypsy and Traveller site provision within the Plan. 2

3 3 Agreed matters between the Council and Leeds GATE 3.1 It is agreed that the Council has made a significant positive effort to engage with the Local Gypsy and Traveller community through the preparation of the Plan. This includes the Council making a considerable effort to encourage site submissions, particularly for private sites, from the Gypsy and Traveller community. 3.2 All of the proposed Council managed sites within the Plan provide an appropriate residential environment and are suitable for Gypsy and Traveller use. Leeds GATE and local Gypsies have visited the sites. The allocation of these sites is supported. 3.3 All of the proposed private allocations within the Plan provide an appropriate residential environment and are suitable for Gypsy and Traveller use. Leeds GATE has worked on behalf of the Council to ascertain the support of the current residents of these sites to continue living in these locations and also to engage with the formal processes required to either seek planning permission or gain a certificate of lawful use. The allocation of these sites is supported. 3.4 The principle of safeguarding existing Gypsy and Traveller sites within the Plan is supported and contributes towards the needs set out in the Core Strategy. 3.5 The Plan as submitted meets the needs for 23 Council managed pitches, 14 private pitches and 9 Negotiated Stopping pitches. 3.6 It is agreed that Kidacre Street, City Centre (HG2-2) is a suitable site and that its future expansion by up to 5 additional pitches is appropriate to help meet the Council manage need. The additional 2 pitches proposed as a main modification to the Plan by the Council would ensure that the full public managed need of 25 pitches is met by the Plan. (Modification #9) 3.7 The Council s approach to Negotiated Stopping provision as described within A management approach to negotiated stopping for short term Gypsy and Traveller visitors to Leeds (Appendix 1) is supported, subject to the agreed approach being initiated on the ground and closely monitored. The management approach is considered preferable to the alternative of permanent transit provision on one site. 3.8 Pre-submission changes reference 37 and 228 to remove the public managed site allocation at Bullerthorpe Lane, Colton (formerly HG7-3) are supported. The site is unsuitable for Gypsy and Traveller use. This remedies the concerns raised within representation (PDE02758) regarding the proposed allocation of the site. 3.9 Pre-submission changes reference 37, 649 and 778, to increase the capacity of the proposed allocations at West Wood, Tingley (HG7-1) and Tong Road, Wortley (HG7-2) by 1 additional pitch on each site is considered to be appropriate and is 3

4 supported. It is considered that 5 families on a site would support more peaceful integration with the wider community and security for Gypsy and Traveller residents of the sites Pre-submission changes reference 35 and 645 to provide an additional 2 pitches at Cottingley Springs, Gelderd Road (HG6-1) is considered to be appropriate and is supported subject to consequential qualitative improvements to the wider site, including the potential for greenspace Pre-submission changes reference 643 to separate the private site at Thorpe Lane, Tingley in two separate sites (HG6-15 and HG6-16) to reflect differing land ownerships and management of the site is supported. This remedies concerns raised within representation (PDE02758) regarding the boundary of the site The removal of the private site at Ninevah Lane, Allerton Bywater is supported due to the personal circumstances of the occupant. Pre-submission change reference The site at Parkside Lane, Beeston favoured by Leeds GATE as part of the site search for Gypsy and Traveller sites (CD1/34 Appendix 9 Site #3), has been sold by the Council and it is agreed is no longer available for consideration as a publically managed site It is agreed that the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (2014) does capture an element of aspirational private need which may materialise at different points in the Plan period Leeds GATE contends that the Council s reference to cultural aversion to living in bricks and mortar accommodation highlighted in paragragh of the Housing Background Paper (CD1/34) and paragraph 1.14 of the Council s response to Matter 8 is not of key relevance to the allocation of sites. In retrospect the Council agrees. 4 Matters not agreed 4.1 Leeds GATE does not support the non-allocation of the following private site submissions: Pawson Street, Robin Hood (CD1/34 Appendix 6) The Old Telephone Exchange, Shadwell (CD1/34 Appendix 12) Sandon Mount, Hunslet (CD1/34 Appendix 6) Castle Gate, Wakefield (CD1/34 Appendix 12) 4

5 4.2 Leeds GATE are of the opinion that the site at Tulip Street, Hunslet (HG6-3) is appropriate and should form an immediate allocation contributing to the publically managed need. The Council considers that this site works best as a safeguarded site pending the loss of Kidacre Street and its allocation now would go against the desire to have a spread of sites across the authority. 4.3 Leeds GATE contends that all the private site proposals should be removed from the Green Belt. The Council is of the view that such sites are best washed over by Green Belt as they would otherwise lead to small holes. 5 Agreement of Statement of Common Ground Signed on behalf of Leeds City Council: Name: Tim Hill Role: Chief Planning Officer Date:12 th September 2017 Signature: Signed on behalf of Leeds GATE: Name: Ben Chastney Role: Advocacy Manager Leeds GATE Date:12 th September 2017 Signature: Ben Chastney 5