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The Localism Act received Royal Assent in November 2011. Its main measures fall under four headings:
A Plain English guide to the Act is available to view here.
The Regional Spatial Strategy for South East England (the South East Plan), published in May 2009, is set to be revoked by Section 109 of the Localism Act. However, this power cannot be exercised until a satisfactory Strategic Environmental Assessment has been carried out regarding the effect of the revocation. The South East Plan remains part of the Development Plan until it is formally abolished, but less weight is attached to it in planning decisions. Key strategic policies from the South East Plan have been incorporated in the Council’s adopted Local Plan (Core Strategy).
A partial review of the South East Plan examined the provision of pitches for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople. A revised policy framework was the subject of a public examination in February 2010, but, as a result of the Coalition Government’s decision to abolish regional strategies (see above), the independent panel’s report was not completed and was therefore never issued. Under the Freedom of Information/Environmental Information Regulations, the draft document is available to view here.
The Council’s current policy on gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople is set out in Policy CS10 of the Local Plan (Core Strategy).
In March 2012 the Government published its new planning policy for traveller sites. It came into effect at the same time as, and should be read in conjunction with, the new National Planning Policy Framework.
A new Joint Travellers Accommodation Assessment is to be carried out in Hampshire in 2012. If there is a need to provide specific sites, these will be identified in the Council’s Local Plan (Allocations).