Hull City Council has agreed at a meeting of its Cabinet to consult people in the city and the travelling community on its recommendations to expand provision of sites for gypsies and travellers.
The decision will now go to a full council meeting on Thursday 27 February.
Detailed consultations will be held with the residents surrounding the site and directly affected by the proposals.
Local authorities are required to include policies which address the needs of gypsies and travellers. Hull’s Local Plan identifies a shortfall of provision in the city.
The report recommends the expansion of up to 10 pitches at the existing permanent site for travellers at Wilmington. Currently, there are no sites for temporary travellers.
The council is recommending that land adjacent to the permanent site is acquired and developed with up to 25 temporary stopping places.
Separate entrances are recommended for the two sites. Access to the permanent site would continue to be from Bedford Street whereas the temporary stopping site would be from Mount Pleasant.
A question and answer document will be available shortly on the council’s website.
Councillor Mike Thompson, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for neighbourhoods said: “I’m fully behind the recommendation to expand the number of permanent pitches, for travelling families, in line with the findings of the Local Plan. Furthermore, every summer, in the absence of temporary stopping sites, we get a number of illegal encampments across the city.
“These cause unease among residents and incur sizeable legal and clean-up costs for the council. The consultation on this recommendation is our opportunity to resolve the situation and, if agreed, go a long way to cutting the remedial costs and establishing a more harmonious relationship with local people.”
Residents and business-owners can express their views by emailing Regeneration.Team@hullcc.gov.uk.
