People can now have their say on the Gypsy and Traveller development plan, with the consultation open to the public for the next six weeks.

The document sets out Wiltshire Council’s strategic planning policies for meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and travelling showpeople, which is one of the authority’s statutory obligations.

The plan lays out how the council will provide 128 permanent pitches for Gypsies and Travellers and 9 plots for travelling showpeople, which it needs to have sorted by 2038.

Cllr Nick Botterill, cabinet member for strategic planning, has said it is “very important” that those with an interest send their feedback.

READ MORE: Gypsies and Travellers Plan approved for public consultation

An overview of the strategy to meeting the accommodation need.An overview of the strategy to meeting the accommodation need. (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Some of the pitches will be acquired by intensifying pre-existing Traveller sites, whilst others will be on new sites altogether.

Site intensification is planned in locations such as Chippenham, Semington, Southwick, and Devizes.

The new sites are suggested in Bushton, Edigonton, Cleverton, Rowde, Upper Seagry and Potterne.

The largest of these sites will be Cleverton, with 10 new pitches, Rowde, also with 10 new pitches, and upper Seagry, with five new pitches.

Full details of the locations are available within the plan document, which can be viewed on the council’s website, where residents can also find out how to take part in the consultation.

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Cllr Nick Botterill said: “The draft Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document sets out how we propose to plan growth for the housing needs of Gypsies, Travellers and travelling showpeople in Wiltshire up to 2038.

“At this stage in the process, it’s very important that we get feedback and comments from everyone with an interest in the plan.

“To enable people to ask questions and find out more, we are holding five in-person drop-in engagement events and one online, and people can sign up for the online event now – there is no need to sign up for the in-person events ahead of time.”

The online engagement event is on Tuesday, September 3, and people must sign up before attending.

Further information events will be held at Salisbury on September 4 (4.30pm, Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre), Devizes on September 5 (4.30pm, Devizes Library), Chippenham on September 9 (4.30pm, Olympiad Leisure Centre), Royal Wootton Bassett on September 11 (4.30pm, Royal Wootton Bassett library), and Trowbridge on September 12 (4.30pm County Hall Atrium).

The plan document will also be available in many Wiltshire Council libraries and residents can contact the council to get written copies of the representation form.

The public consultation will close at 5pm on Friday, October 4.