Shake-up will lead to faster Gypsy evictions

Thursday, March 25, 2010, 07:40

A SHAKE-UP in planning rules will cut the time it takes to evict Gypsies and travellers from unauthorised developments.
Last autumn three Gypsy families were given six months to quit after Plymouth City Council planning committee turned down two retrospective applications to stay on plots on Ridge Road, Plympton.

The council admitted later that appeals against the decision could take up to 12 months.

John Denham, the Communities Secretary, yesterday welcomed new planning rules which will speed up the enforcement process so that quicker action can be taken against developments without planning permission such as unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller sites.

The new rules will take effect next month, slashing the time that must elapse before local authorities can take action against unauthorised camps, and other developments lacking planning permission.

From April 6, the time allowed to lodge an appeal will be reduced from six months to 28 days.

Read More: http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Shake-lead-faster-Gypsy-evictions/article-1943236-detail/article.html