Interim Gypsy/Traveller site design guide

3. Consultation with Gypsy/Travellers and Other Stakeholders

3.1 Consultation with Gypsy/Travellers

Sites will be most successful when they meet the needs of residents and these will vary from site to site. Site providers must consult with Gypsy/Travellers when designing a new site or undertaking refurbishment to an existing site and be able to provide evidence that they have done this. For existing sites, this will involve consulting directly with the residents on the site and potential residents, e.g. those on the waiting list or other Gypsy/Travellers living in the local authority area. For new sites, site providers should consult with Gypsy/Travellers living either permanently or temporarily in the area and groups who regularly travel in the area or have a family connection. Site providers should take into consideration the expectations and aspirations of Gypsy/Travellers, with a view to providing appropriate accommodation for that community. Consultation with communities should be initiated as early as possible in any proposed development to establish integration from first principles. This includes the strategic planning phase in order that communities are not merely reacting to decisions but are actively involved in proposing them.

The Site Design Guide should be used as part of consultative design process that seeks to put the views of Gypsy/Traveller communities at the core of the development process through which other design approaches may develop. Research by PAS (formerly known as Planning Aid Scotland) on behalf of NHS Health Scotland showed that having a sense of influence and control is particularly important in feeling a sense of belonging to a site. Gypsy/Travellers should be included in the process from beginning to end. During our conversations with Gypsy/Travellers, they have told us that this is very important. Ongoing communication and feedback on what is happening as a result of discussions is important throughout. If something cannot be included in a site design, for example because there is not enough space on an existing site or the cost is too high, then the reasons for this should be clearly explained. Including the community in design meetings with architects / site developers will help to ensure that assumptions are not made about what communities need and allows for issues and solutions to be discussed with the people who will be living on the site. It is important to consider the needs of everyone, as the needs of men, women and children may vary. Article 12 published I Witness: The UNCRC in the United Kingdom - Young Gypsy/Travellers' Voices which highlights the need to engage with young Gypsy/Travellers on what they think is important on a site. It is also important to consider the intersectional needs of those who share protected characteristics e.g. older people and people with disabilities, in keeping with equalities and other duties.

3.2 Other Stakeholders

When a new site is being considered or work is likely to have a wider impact, site providers should also consult with other relevant stakeholders, including the settled community in the area.

PAS was funded by the Scottish Government to undertake substantial work aimed at ensuring that the specific needs of Gypsy/Travellers are considered and addressed by the planning system. This work culminated in a series of guides that are available on the PAS website. These guides provide valuable background information on Gypsy/Traveller culture and important context around issues such as human rights, equality and diversity. They are intended to facilitate informed engagement and understanding between Gypsy/Travellers, planning professionals, elected members and community councillors.

There can often be sensitivities around the location of Gypsy/Traveller sites. Site providers should engage with representatives of the local settled community about proposals in the early stages of the process. Consideration should be given to how to engage on the proposals – an informal approach where local residents/neighbours can give their thoughts in a more conversational manner may be more productive. Depending on the circumstances and the views of Gypsy/Traveller communities, consideration could be given to involving them in these discussions to try to break down barriers and build understanding, This could be facilitated through a third sector organisation that supports Gypsy/Traveller communities.

It may also be appropriate to consult other partners and agencies including: other local authority departments; neighbouring local authorities and; relevant agencies such as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), Police Scotland and the local Health Board.

3.3 Methods of Consultation with Gypsy/Traveller Communities

Methods of participation and engagement which are currently used by social landlords to inform and consult with their tenants and residents may be helpful in enabling Gypsy/Traveller communities to articulate the priorities of their families and communities, and to shape the services they receive in partnership with their landlord. The Scottish Government's Guide to Successful Tenant Participation sets out details and case study examples on participation and engagement methodologies, as well as practical information about the support and advice landlords may be able to offer to residents' groups. The National Standards for Community Engagement are good-practice principles designed to support community engagement, and improve what happens as a result. Architecture & Design Scotland's Place Skills for Housing provides some useful information on engagement including a section on how to engage others and templates for audience mapping and engagement plans.

Social landlords will be able to provide direct advice on establishing a local group, and can also provide information on any sources of support that may be available for establishing and running a residents' group, including details of grants, other available funding, and practical and informal support.

Traditional methods of engagement and participation may not be the preference of the residents on a site. However, we know that some local authorities have supported site residents to set up local groups. Talking to the residents or, in the case of a new site, members of Gypsy/Traveller communities will be crucial to establishing their preferred methods for engagement.

Ongoing, frequent, communication to maintain trust is important, for example ensuring that the results of the consultation are fed back to those who have been involved. Where it has not been possible to meet the expressed preferences of those involved the reasons for this should be clearly explained so people understand that their views have been listened to and considered. It is also important to keep in touch with residents over time, even if it is only to confirm that plans are still on track.

3.4 The Place Standard

Satisfaction with a site is not just about the quality of the buildings on the site, as with settled accommodation, wider considerations about the quality of place and how it impacts on daily living, health and wellbeing must also be taken into account.

The Place Standard tool provides a simple framework to structure conversations about places that can aid understanding of these interconnected issues, give local people a voice and a role in influencing their future, and bring together all of the interests and resources within an area. This process of engagement and informed decision-making provides a strong foundation to address inequalities and improve the wellbeing of communities. Further information on the Place Standard Tool can be found at the Place Standard website. PAS has published a report on how the Place Standard tool can be used for Gypsy/Traveller sites.

Greenspace Scotland have developed a Young Placechangers Toolkit which aims to "inspire young people to take the lead in their local community, to voice their opinions and help make positive change happen" which may be helpful in engaging with young people on a site. Versions of the Place Standard tool for Children and Young People are being developed and will be published in 2022.

3.5 Participatory Budgeting

Participatory budgeting (PB) is a way for people to have a direct say in how public money is spent in their community. The Scottish Government supports PB as a tool for community empowerment and to build on the development of participatory democracy in Scotland. This includes an intention to focus action on areas where people and communities are currently furthest from the ability to exercise power. PB helps deliver on outcomes in Scotland's National Performance Framework that "we live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient and safe" and "tackle poverty by sharing opportunities, wealth and power more equally". It can also help meet the Public Sector Equality Duty, including the need to advance equality of opportunity by encouraging people with certain protected characteristics to participate in public life.

The PB Charter for Scotland is based on transparency and empowerment and helps good PB happen in a way that builds trust by giving communities real say over decisions that affect them. This gives a potential route for more empowering and decision making processes for the future. More information, resources and case studies are available at the Participatory Budgeting Scotland website.