Planning has a major role in addressing the whole community's access to jobs, health, housing, education and other services. Although good practice exists, planning has not successfully tackled these issues for Gypsy and Traveller communities.

This report is Part A of a good practice note to provide advice and guidance to planning practitioners to support their communication and consultation with these communities and enable their participation in matters relating to the services they receive.

Flexible partnership and cooperative working can enable local authorities to achieve better outcomes for these communities whilst minimising the resources required to do so.

There are insufficient sites, services and opportunities for people who wish to pursue a nomadic lifestyle. As part of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)'s goal to improve approaches and practice this Good Practice Note aims to help practitioners deliver satisfactory services to Gypsy and Traveller communities.

It is one of a series of five complementary parts, available online only, with the others providing advice on accommodation needs assessment; accommodation and site delivery; enforcement; sources of further information and advice.

In 2007, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) convened a Gypsy and Traveller advisory group of expert individuals to research and discuss the lack of suitable accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller communities. The advisory group has guided the production of this good practice note.

The RTPI then formed specialist sub-groups of expert volunteers and staff, drawn from the RTPI Associations and Networks, Planning Aid and external organizations, to draft this guidance. Additional contributions were made throughout the consultation process by other specialist practitioners.

There is an inherent culture clash between service providers and users however it is important that public service officers communicate, consult and promote the participation of all stakeholders at the start of, and throughout, projects and related processes.

The way that Gypsy and Traveller communities are organized means that it is inappropriate to seek their views solely through one or two representatives and so partnership working with a range of community organizations and significant investment in front-end procedures will achieve more effective service delivery by maximizing the use of stakeholder resources and partnership working.

The Royal Town Planning Institute
Phone: +44 (0) 207929 9494
practice@rtpi.org.uk

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//2007

The Royal Town Planning Institute on behalf of Communities and Local Government

research

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Community development

Support for local groups, Citizens' participation