Preparing Regional Spatial Strategy reviews on Gypsies and Travellers by regional planning bodies

Under the new approach to planning for Gypsy and Traveller site provision, Regional Spatial Strategies are to identify total pitch requirements at regional level, and allocate these between Local Planning Authorities (LPAs). This allocation is to be on the basis of Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments produced by local authorities and a strategic view of regional needs. In the changed context, research was commissioned by Communities and Local Government in partnership with the Government Office for the East of England and the Regional Assemblies for the East, South East and South West. The research aims were to: produce a methodology which can be employed by Regional Planning Bodies (RPBs) to benchmark the robustness and consistency of Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessments (GTAAs) covering their region and, where appropriate, GTAAs in adjoining regions; develop a transparent and reliable method for translating the results of local GTAAs into regional pitch requirements; support RPBs in the process of allocating pitch requirements between LPAs; apply the methods devised in the East of England – both to assist the East of England Regional Assembly and to act as a ‘case study’ example for other regions.