Lancashire Sub-Regional Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation and Related Services Assessment

Recent legislation and guidance from the government has indicated a commitment to taking steps to resolve some of the long standing accommodation issues for members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities.This legislation has an overarching aim of ensuring that members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities have equal access to decent and appropriate accommodation options akin to each and every other member of society. As a result, a number of Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs) are now being undertaken across the UK, as local authorities respond to these new obligations and requirements.The North West Regional Assembly, on behalf of a number of authorities within the Lancashire sub-region, commissioned this assessment of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in July 2006. The authorities, which comprise this assessment, are: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council; Blackpool Council; Burnley Borough Council; Chorley Borough Council; Fylde Borough Council; Hyndburn Borough Council; Lancaster City Council; Pendle Borough Council; Rossendale Borough Council; Preston City Council; South Ribble Borough Council; West Lancashire District Council; Wyre Borough Council;and, Lancashire County Council1. The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit at the University of Salford, assisted by staff from the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies at the University of Birmingham and AVT-interventions, with research support from members of the Gypsy and Traveller community. The study was managed by a Steering Group composed of members from the aforementioned Lancashire authorities.