Proposal for Wymondham travellers' site set to be rubberstamped

Adam GrettonProposals for two new gipsy and traveller sites in south Norfolk are set to be rubberstamped by councillors next week .Adam Gretton

Proposals for two new gipsy and traveller sites in south Norfolk are set to be rubberstamped by councillors next week .

A special meeting of South Norfolk Council will take place on Monday to clear the latest hurdle to create new permanent pitches in the district.

If approved by full council, the plans for sites on the edge of Wymondham and Earsham, near Bungay, will be sent to the planning inspectorate for further public examination in late spring.

Two potential gipsy and traveller locations off Stanfield Road, Wymondham, and Old Harleston Road, Earsham, were selected following two public consultation exercises last year, which attracted more than 5,000 representations.

The plans, which could create 16 permanent pitches in south Norfolk by 2011, come after three years of deliberations and the examination of more than 80 potential sites.

John Fuller, South Norfolk Council leader, said that the local authority would be first in the queue for central government funding to pay for the sites.

'This is a watershed moment for the council and its community. We have come a long way together and worked exceptionally hard. I want to offer our profound and heartfelt thanks to everyone for taking part.'

'The ultimate prize is the reassurance of well managed, small, permanent sites, and a chance at last to tackle the issue of unauthorised encampments,' he said.

Councillors on Monday will also be asked to retain its gipsy and traveller working group for further consultation when its Development Plan Document moves to its next stage.