Cabinet to consider approach for Shottendane Road following public feedback

A report recommending the approach for the provision of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation has been published ahead of the next Cabinet meeting.

On Thursday 18 December, Cabinet members will review the findings of a public consultation regarding the potential use of part of the Shottendane site for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation. 

The report recommends that Gypsy and Traveller accommodation is considered as part of the wider review of the Thanet Local Plan, rather than through individual applications. This will include recommending that all new large housing sites be required to set aside some land for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation. The definition of large is still to be determined and will be discussed by the Local Plan Cabinet Advisory Group.

The land at Shottendane Road was previously submitted to the Local Plan Call for Sites and will therefore be considered for a housing allocation in the next Local Plan. If allocated for housing, it will allow any potential Gypsy and Traveller pitches to be designed as an integral part of a master plan for the area, ensuring better access and infrastructure.

The council has a statutory duty to plan for the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller households, which requires provision for 7 permanent and 5 transit pitches in the district by 2031. The council is committed to ensuring that these are delivered. Creating a total of 12 pitches will require a number of sites across the district which is why a more comprehensive approach is required.

Between October and December 2024, the council asked residents for their views on establishing a small site for families on the land at Shottendane Road. Nearly 400 responses were received. While the consultation helped raise awareness of the need for permanent pitches in the district, the report highlights that the majority of respondents raised concerns.

Relevant issues raised by the community included the impact on local traffic, specifically on Caxton Road, the use of agricultural land and the challenge of properly integrating the site with the existing neighbourhood.

The report proposes that the best way to address these concerns is to look at the future of the site as a whole. The report also updates Cabinet about the proposed new North Thanet Relief Road,  as part of the proposed route cuts across the land at Shottendane Road and opens up new access options.

Cllr Helen Whitehead, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: 

“We are absolutely committed to ensuring that we provide high-quality, suitable homes for everyone in our community. This report accurately reflects the feedback from the consultation. Residents have raised valid and relevant issues, such as access and infrastructure. These issues have been heard and considered. Many responses however, demonstrated a significant level of prejudice towards a minority community. As a result many responses had to be redacted due to their offensive nature. This is not only distressing, but also indicates the need for a comprehensive approach that supports integration and understanding. The proposals aim to address this.

“As part of addressing this, the Cabinet report recommends that we consider this site through the Local Plan review. This approach will give us a real opportunity to do this right. It will mean that if this land is developed, it is done so comprehensively, allowing for community integration and planning.

“We want to ensure that Gypsy and Traveller provision is part of planning for our whole community, with the high-quality design and facilities that all our residents deserve.”

Cabinet will discuss the report and make a decision on the recommendations at a meeting on Thursday 18 December.  Prior to this meeting the report will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for comment.  The meetings are open to the public and will be available to view live on the council’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/thanetdistrictcouncil