Local development plans – defining Gypsies and Travellers: consultation

Consultation questions

The Scottish Government seeks to better understand who the Gypsy and Traveller communities are across Scotland. This is to understand their needs so that the Scottish planning system can be operated in a fairer way.

1) Scottish Government (Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division) is considering the following statement to define the Gypsy and Traveller community for planning purposes:

"For the purposes of section 16B(14) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (evidence report for preparation of local development plan), "Gypsies and Travellers" means-

a) persons of or from a nomadic cultural tradition whatever their race or origin, including-

(i) persons who have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently as a result of their own or their family's (including dependants) educational needs, health needs, or old age,

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

(iii) persons who require the provision of land for temporary or permanent living (including the use of caravans as defined in section 16 of the Caravan Sites Act 1968),

b) persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism."

a) Do you agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

b) If no, what changes would you seek?

2) What do you think councils should do to better involve the Gypsy and Traveller communities in planning consultations and processes?

3) a) Do you believe that this (or any) definition will have an impact on businesses?

• Yes
• No

b) If so, do you consider this to be positive or negative and why?

• Positive
• Negative

4) a) Do you believe that this (or any) definition will have an impact on certain groups of protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex/gender, sexual orientation)?

• Yes
• No

b) If so, do you consider this to be positive or negative and why?

• Positive
• Negative