Planning for Traveller sites

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA)

Following the publication of the Government's "Planning Policy for Travellers" in August 2015 the Council has kept under review the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in the borough.

The new Government policy included a change to the definition of Travellers for planning purposes so that those who have ceased to travel permanently will no longer fall under the planning definition of a Traveller for the purposes of assessing accommodation need in a GTAA.

However non-travelling Travellers must still be accommodated and recent case law indicates that these households should be dealt with in a similar way to Travellers meeting the definition.

View the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2021 (PDF) 

The study assesses the need for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation for the period 2020-2040. In summary the assessment identifies a need for 46 additional Gypsy and Traveller pitches and 13 additional Travelling Showpeople plots in the study period.

View the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2017 (PDF) 

View the Bedford Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2012 (PDF)