Letter to the Housing Secretary: Unauthorised Development and Traveller Site Provision

Please see the full letter below.

There is growing concern across the South East about unauthorised development linked to Gypsy and Traveller site provision, particularly in rural and Green Belt areas. Since 2020, the number of caravans in the region has increased significantly, with unauthorised sites more than doubling. A large proportion of these are now on land owned by Travellers, reflecting a shift towards purchasing land before development, often outside the formal planning process.

This has exposed weaknesses in the planning and enforcement system. Local authorities and police report lacking the powers and resources to respond effectively, leading to prolonged disputes, delays in enforcement, and uncertainty for both settled and Traveller communities. In some cases, enforcement action has taken years to resolve.

Importantly, this issue reflects systemic failure rather than the actions of any one community. There has been a longstanding under-provision of authorised Gypsy and Traveller sites, leaving many families without lawful accommodation options, while local residents feel the planning system is not being applied consistently.

In response, MPs are calling for a coordinated national approach. This includes the creation of a cross-government task force to strengthen enforcement, improve coordination between agencies, and review whether existing powers are sufficient. Alongside this, there is a clear need for a renewed commitment to delivering adequate, well-planned authorised sites to reduce conflict and ensure fairness.

Without action, there is a risk of continued strain on community relations, further erosion of confidence in the planning system, and ongoing legal and financial pressures on local authorities.

Please see the full letter below.