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Travellers: Recreation Spaces

Asked by Fabian HamiltonLabourMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 10 July 2025UIN 64981

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support local authorities to ensure Travellers are not able to access public green spaces.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

It is the responsibility of local authorities (LPAs) to assess the need for Gypsy and Traveller sites in their area and then plan to meet that need, in the same way that they plan for all forms of housing.

In doing so, LPAs should promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community, and aim to reduce the number of unauthorised developments and encampments.

In relation to local planning authority enforcement powers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 46336 on 30 April 2025.

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