Sadiq Khan's draft plan for London would create almost 900 new traveller pitches across the capital in the next 10 years. The Mayor of London's plans for the city state that 876 permanent spots will be required by 2036-37 in order to meet the needs of "diverse communities".
Minimum targets and diverse communities
The figure was described by City Hall as a minimum, so there may be more pitches built over the coming 10 years. The blueprint for the city says London "must plan to meet the needs of all its residents, including gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople".
Plans for the city state that 876 permanent spots will be required. It adds: "Targets are minimum, reflecting a degree of uncertainty regarding census data for these groups and given the pattern of historical under-delivery that urgently needs addressing."
Borough allocations and census data
Under Sir Sadiq's plans, Bromley is earmarked to take the largest share, with 77 permanent pitches designated for the borough. It is followed by 73 in Havering and 55 in Brent. The outer London borough also faces the highest quota for travelling show-people, with 37 plots allocated. A further 28 are planned for Hounslow, 13 for Hillingdon and five for Havering.
The latest available census data records just over 7,500 gypsies and travellers in London as of 2021. Estimates suggest there could be up to 35,000.
Reactions and context
Nancy Hawker, London Gypsies & Travellers' Policy and Research Officer, said in July that Sir Sadiq's plan was not perfect, but if minimum targets are met and other guidance is followed across London Boroughs, it would still be "a huge step towards a truly inclusive and diverse city".
News of the plan comes after Housing Secretary Angela Rayner was accused by the Conservatives of softening planning rules to remove powers from local councils. Under new guidance, councils will no longer have to consider damage to the threats posed to the environment by unauthorised encampments. Shadow housing secretary, Sir James Cleverly, told The Sun that Labour is making it easier for travellers to set up illegal sites and get them rubber-stamped afterwards. Government sources have stated that other changes in the guidance would make it harder for traveller sites to secure retrospective planning permission.
A spokesman from the Mayor of London's office said the draft London Plan requires every borough to plan for the accommodation needs of gypsy and traveller communities, helping to address a long-standing shortage of suitable sites. They added: "The plan does not allocate any green belt sites. It is for boroughs to decide how best to meet identified need for gypsy and traveller pitches through their local plans, in consultation with their communities, including whether green belt land should be considered where there are no suitable alternatives."
