Gypsy Roma Traveller Leeds
The permanent site of the Gypsy Roma Traveller Communities
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Gypsies in Leeds and Yorkshire
Leeds and Yorkshire has a history rich with the presence of Traveller and Gypsies.
In fact the first recorded mention of Gypsies was in 1572.
Site planning information
Buying Land
This is advice about buying land for a caravan site from Donald Kenrick, one of the leading British academics on Gypsy and Romani language, history and culture.
Image of a temporary site from "In their Own Words"
Planning is complicated and these hints cannot replace using a qualified planner or solicitor.
If you are buying land for a caravan site try and avoid:
- Green Belt
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Special Landscape Areas
- Strategic Gaps
- The flood plain
- Any land with an existing valid enforcement notice
It is a good idea to use a solicitor and do a search. If you are going to spend many thousands of pounds on the land, why not a couple of hundred on a solicitor and a search.
The only danger with a search is that the Council will be alerted to the possibility of a caravan moving on and may put a stop Notice on the site. The correct process: stay on the roadside or a friend's land and put in a planning application. Wait eight weeks for the council's refusal letter and then appeal. You will need a qualified or experienced planner for this. In about six months there will be a Hearing or an Enquiry and an Inspector (based in Bristol) will come, discuss the arguments for and against the site and either approve or dismiss the appeal.
What some people do. Move on to the site over a weekend with a touring caravan. Put in a planning application on the Monday morning. This makes the site their home and gives some protection under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Council will then issue a Request for Information to find out who is in occupation. They may then serve an enforcement notice or an injunction.
To appeal against an enforcement notice is the same as appealing against the refusal of planning permission, except that the time allowed is less - usually one month. You need a planner.
An injunction will be made by a judge without the Traveller being present and will be an order to stop work and leave the land but it will give a few days (possibly a fixed date) for you to apply to have the injunction put aside until the end of the planning process. You need a solicitor.
Traveller Communities
Planning Issues
Planning Aid North West and the Federation of Irish Societies had 3 of workshops on the Planning system and Traveller communities.
Read more
Roma/ Gypsies
The Roma originally came from the Indian subcontinent, which they left about a thousand years ago. They entered Europe in the 13th Century. When they arrived in Europe they were thought to be from Egypt and were called Egyptians, which is where the word "Gypsy" comes from.
Also read about
Gypsy Call for More Caravan Sites
Gypsy and traveller groups have told MPs inquiring into caravan site provision they need more accommodation. See this article from 2004 on the BBC website.
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