Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 May 2004. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Monday, 24 May 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, on what basis a site may be ruled inappropriate for locating show people by his Department; what definition his Department uses of a realistic assessment of the amount of accommodation required in relation to identifying sites for show people; what account of the rights of local residents (a) his Department and (b) local planning authorities take in identifying appropriate sites for winter quarters for show people; and what weight is attached to the (i) appropriateness of the site, (ii) suitability of the location, (iii) availability and adequacy of vehicular access and (iv) availability of existing locations in taking such decisions. - Inc ref to Circular 22/91 'Travelling Showpeople'.

Answer: Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) on what basis a site may be ruled inappropriate for locating show people by his Department; [175019] (2) what definition his Department uses of a realistic assessment of the amount of accomodation required in relation to identifying sites for show people; [175018] (3) what account of the rights of local residents (a) his Department and (b) local planning authorities take in identifying appropriate sites for winter quarters for show people; and what weight is attahced to the (i) appropriateness of the site, (ii) suitability of the location, (iii) availability and adequacy of vehicular access and (iv) availability of existing locations in taking such decisions. [175017] Keith Hill: All applications for planning permission are decided on their individual merits with reference to the local authority's development plan for the area and other material considerations including national planning policy guidance. The Government's advice to local planning authorities on travelling showpeople is contained in Circular 22/91 `Travelling Showpeople'.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 421 c1436-7W; 175019;175018;175017
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Access Caravan sites Land use Fairgrounds Entertainers Planning permission Location Vehicles Travelling showmen
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk