LASplanning Secure Planning Permission for a Permanent Gypsy Traveller Site
Since 2020, LASplanning have been pleased to represent a client who sought to provide for his extended family as members of the Gypsy/Traveller community.
The decision now by Aberdeenshire Council to approve the site in line with the recommendation of the Council’s Planning Authority report, is welcomed; not least as this is understood to be the first such approval of this nature within the Council area in recent years.
In doing so Aberdeenshire Council and the planning officer/s responsible for the case have recognised the distinct and specific needs of the Gypsy/Traveller community in addition to accepting that appropriate sites for such development can help to ensure diverse communities and to meet unmet demand.
Of particular note is this extract from the Council Committee Report which states;
“… The Council will also continue to seek the provision of alternative permanent sites for the use of the Gypsy/Traveller community in appropriate locations through its Site Provision Strategy and allocation in the Local Development Plan….”
(Paragraph 7.3, Aberdeenshire Council Committee Report, 18 November 2021)
The services provided by LASplanning were those of professional Chartered Town Planning consultancy delivered and co-ordinated by practice principal Lorna Sim.
Project Components
The key requirements of this project required LASplanning to work as part of a larger project team including an Architect and a Water and Drainage Engineer. LASplanning worked with their Client to establish a site layout which respected the rural setting and nearby properties, whilst making best use of the site and Client requirements.
Following submission of this planning application, LASplanning worked closely with Aberdeenshire Council to establish a workable solution to issues which arose. This involved a partnership approach with the Council and the larger project team to ensure timely solutions were established. These solutions required LASplanning’s Client to prioritise their requirements and to work collectively with the Council and respective professional advisors to achieve the optimum development solution.
More Information
If you would like to find out more about this project, or how we could assist you with your plans, please do not hesitate to reach out to LASplanning.