The general approach to sites for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople is appropriate, but it is unlikely to be effective as the criteria set out in Policy LHN6 are too restrictive. In particular we are concerned about the wording of the following:
Criterion i - the reference to nature conservation designated areas should be deleted - local landscape or local nature conservation designations should not be used in themselves to refuse planning permission (see paragraph 53 of Circular 01/2006) so a blanket ban is not appropriate and is not justified.
Criterion iii - this should be amended to allow more flexibility in terms of location, which would then conform with national policy (see paragraph 54 of Circular 01/2006 which explains that rural setting are acceptable in principle, and that local authorities should be realistic about access). See suggestion below.