Interim Gypsy/Traveller site design guide

4. Site Design – Permanent Residential Sites

4.1 Location

Current planning policy is contained in Scottish Planning Policy (2014). Development plans and the LHS should address any need identified, taking into account the mobile lifestyles of Gypsy/Traveller communities. If there is a need, local development plans should identify suitable sites. They should also consider whether policies are required for small privately-owned sites for Gypsy/Travellers. The community should be appropriately involved in identifying sites for their use. Once provisions are commenced, planning authorities will be required to consult with Gypsy/Travellers to inform the preparation of local development plans, as set out in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.

Sites identified in development plans should provide a suitable and safe environment for Gypsy/Traveller families and be capable of providing accommodation that meets their cultural needs. Plans should recognise that pitch requirements will vary considerably so policies will need to provide a range of accommodation options, in terms of both site type and geography. This offers a wider choice of accommodation and allows flexibility for different family groups.

Sites should be located away from areas which could be adversely affected by flooding or on or near land that would raise unacceptable amenity issues for people staying at the site. This would include refuse and industrial processes since these are likely to have a detrimental effect on the general health and well-being of the site's residents and may pose particular safety risks for young children. The Scottish Government's Principal Policy on Placemaking, Designing Streets and design tools, such as the Place Standard Tool, as outlined above, should assist in ensuring that identified locations will result in sustainable and well-designed places which meet the cultural and social needs of Gypsy/Travellers.

Among the key aspects to consider when identifying suitable locations are:

• Roads and access: safe and easy access for vehicles is important. Sites should be easy to reach from main roads, but usually not right beside them.
• Water, sewage, electricity and digital connectivity: sites need to be able to be supplied with all the essential services. There should be flexibility with regards to connections to public supplies and networks if self-contained solutions exist.
• Access to public services and amenities: the site should provide good access to public transport, schools, health services, shops and other community facilities.
• Communal recreation and play areas should be provided which are, in particular, designed and located with the safety of children in mind (taking account of the proximity of busy roads) and where they allow for natural supervision.
• Impact on amenity: any impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties should be proportionate.
• Character and appearance: the development can be made compatible with the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

When considering the above aspects, potential locations for Gypsy/Traveller sites should generally be considered inappropriate if they would be unsuitable for other residential developments. When considering likely impacts on the character and amenity of the surrounding area and properties, the judgements should be the same as they would be for residential housing. In preparing local development plans and allocating land that may be suitable for Gypsy/Traveller accommodation, planning authorities should take into account surrounding land uses to ensure that the community benefit from the same level of residential amenity and protection from environmental impacts and nuisances as other types of housing.

Gypsy/Travellers have told us that location of sites is often an issue because there are complaints from businesses or surrounding communities. People want some contact with the surrounding community but also able to be private and be a community themselves on the site. The edge of a town can work well, to be able to access facilities but also green space.

"Sites need to be separate enough to keep good relationships. They should be close enough and far enough away" Gypsy/Travellers, Consultation Event, August 2021

4.2 Site Size

There are currently a range of site sizes in Scotland. A number of factors should be considered when deciding the size of the site including the need identified in the HNDA and consultation with Gypsy/Traveller communities. Gypsy/Travellers traditionally live in family groups and feedback from Gypsy/Travellers and site providers suggests that smaller sites are preferable. Larger sites can result in unused pitches. 15 - 20 pitches is commonly regarded as an appropriate maximum size, although in certain circumstances a larger site may be required. Where larger sites are developed or extensions to sites are being considered, local authorities should consider the views of existing residents and the surrounding community, possible impact of the site on community cohesion, access to services and environmental sustainability etc.

The size of the site should be appropriate for the location and be big enough to accommodate shared facilities e.g. community space and visitor parking as well as the accommodation itself.

4.3 Site Layout

The process of designing a site and making the best of the space is likely to mean balancing layout, size of pitches and facilities needed by residents with the size and features of available land, e.g. there may be a trade-off between the size and number of pitches that can be provided whilst maintaining safe distances between units.

It is important to differentiate between communal space and individual pitches on the site. Site layout should balance privacy with enabling family groups to live close together.

In designing the layout of a site enough space must be provided to permit the easy manoeuvrability of the residents own living accommodation both to the site and subsequently on to a pitch.

Particular consideration should be given to the safety of children on sites, for example, clear lines of sight for vehicular traffic entering the site and in thinking about locations of play equipment and pavements to get around the site. This could include orienting amenity blocks so that windows overlook areas where children may play.

You can find example layouts of sites that are consistent with the Gypsy/Traveller tradition and culture, e.g. a tree branch layout or a circular layout in Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites Guidance published by the Welsh Government. Example layouts for Scottish sites will be added to this Site Design Guide in due course.

Please also refer to section 6.8 on landscaping when considering site layout.

4.4 Site Boundaries

The site boundary should provide clear demarcation of the perimeter of the site. However, care should be taken to integrate the boundary of the site into the local environment. The aim should be to achieve a balance between securing the boundaries, ease of maintenance, maintaining a pleasant and more open environment and avoiding a feeling of enclosure. The use of informal green space may assist with this.

Site boundaries should be constructed in a way which will minimise the risks to children playing.

Site boundaries must comply with fire safety requirements. There must be a 3 metre gap between accommodation units and site boundaries – see section on Fire Safety.

Poorly defined boundaries may lead to unauthorised encampments or positioning of caravans in configurations that do not meet fire safety requirements. Different materials can be used to prevent this, such as planting, bollards or low walls. Where natural features exist it may be helpful to integrate these into the design of the site. Gypsy/Travellers have told us that trees too close to a boundary can bring wildlife too close to the site.

It is important that residents feel safe and secure on site without feeling isolated or enclosed. Any new site design should aim to limit the potential for crime using Secured By Design Principles. Site providers should consult Police Scotland 'Designing Out Crime Officers' to ensure security and crime issues are addressed from the outset.