Local development plans – defining Gypsies and Travellers: consultation

Existing definitions in the UK

The definitions below show the definition of Gypsies and Travellers in Welsh housing legislation, and in English planning policy. The main differences between these two definitions are; the Welsh legislation includes members of the community who ceased to travel permanently, and the English definition explicitly excludes travelling Showpeople or circus people. There are numerous other non-legislative definitions in the UK of 'Gypsies and Travellers' .

Welsh housing legislation

Housing (Wales) Act 2014

"Gypsies and Travellers" ("Sipsiwn a Theithwyr ") means—

(a) persons of a nomadic habit of life, whatever their race or origin, including—

(i) persons who, on grounds only of their own or their family's or dependant's educational or health needs or old age, have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, and

(ii) members of an organised group of travelling show people or circus people (whether or not travelling together as such), and

(b) all other persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in a mobile home;

"mobile home" ("cartref symudol ") has the meaning given by section 60 of the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013.

English planning policy

English Planning Policy for Travellers Sites (Aug 2015)

Glossary definition = Persons of nomadic habitat of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own of their family's or dependents educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily, but excluding members of an organised groups of travelling Showpeople or circus people travelling together as such.