Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed news from the Department for Communities and Local Government about changes to planning policy, which help to restore fairness to the system and ensure all communities are treated equally.
Two key reforms have been introduced. Firstly, anyone from the travelling community who no longer travels will have their planning application considered in the same way as any other member of the settled population. This means that special planning rules designed to support England’s travelling community will only apply to those who lead a genuine travelling lifestyle.
Secondly, greater protection for the Green Belt has been authorised. Councils must now place stricter limits on the number of new traveller sites developed in open countryside, particularly in Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks.
Commenting on the new planning policy, Caroline said:
“I think it is vitally important that we protect open spaces on the Gosport peninsula by providing councils and the police with a range of appropriate powers.
Moreover, it is right that today, when housing is in short supply, planning applications are considered in a fair and just manner. For these reasons I welcome the DCLG’s new Planning Policy.”
For more information on the new Planning Policy please visit www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/457420/Final_planning_and_travellers_policy.pdf.