Request and Response:
Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Supply
Q1) What is the need identified by your authority's Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for new pitches, and what period does that needs assessment cover?
The Black Country Core Strategy was adopted in 2011. The Black Country GTAA was undertaken and covered the period 2008 – 2018. Table 9 of the BCCS showed indicative targets:
Table 9 – Indicative Black Country Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Targets: 2008 – 2018
Dudley / Sandwell / Walsall / Wolverhampton / Black CountryPermanent Residential Pitches / 21 / 2 / 39 / 36 / 98
Transit Pitches / 10-12 Pitches / 10-12
Plots for Travelling Showpeople / 6 / 12 / 35 / 3 / 56
Q2) What is the figure identified by your authority for its up to date 5 year supply of specific deliverable sites? Do you have an identified 5 year supply of specific deliverable sites to meet that need?
The NPPF requires local authorities to demonstrate at least 5 years supply of gypsy and traveller pitches and travelling showpeople plots, against adopted targets. The BCCS targets for Sandwell are 2 pitches and 12 plots up to 2018.
- 16 pitches were provided during 2011/12, however these pitches were to replace 15 pitches that were demolished in 2012/2013. This means that 1 net pitch has been added. There is capacity on the remainder of the site for approximately 8 units, it is intended to pursue funding to ensure that the rest of the site can be redeveloped.
- An additional 2 plots have been established and an application for four further plots has been granted. There are no further plots identified.
Q3) Please supply copies, by email where possible,of the relevant extract of your local authority's Local Plan and/or any other documentation in which the up to date 5 year supply of specific deliverable sites is identified
I can confirm that some of the information you have requested is exempt under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as it is accessible to you by other means.Policy HOU4 Accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling showpeople can be found in the Black Country Core Strategy at The GTAA can also be found at the same web address.
The information you requested (the Council’s current 5 year housing land supply report) can be found at:
If you wish to receive further information in regards to this request or wish to submit a Freedom of Information Request please forward your request to or Information Management Unit, Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 3DE.