Sir Gavin Williamson spoke up for Staffordshire during a debate in Westminster Hall about planning policy for Gypsy and Traveller sites.
During the debate, Sir Gavin addressed issues with the current planning policy for Gypsy and Traveller sites. He indicated that local authority areas which have provided the majority of pitches are being penalised. In particular, Gavin pointed out that the same local authorities continue to carry the greatest burden time and time again.
Following discussions about planning policy for Gypsy and Traveller sites, the Minister of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Lee Rowley, acknowledged that the number of pitches that have been provided has considerably increased, from under 10,000 in 1979 to 25,000 today.
Sir Gavin said: “South Staffordshire provides a high proportion of pitches for travellers and gypsies compared to many other regions. I’ve previously campaigned to limit the number of pitches in Staffordshire so that numbers of encampments are proportionate across the country. It is crucial to emphasise that the growing number of pitches across the country must be met by greater coordination between local authorities.”
