North Surrey Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA)
The North Surrey Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) was published in 2007 and looks at the accommodation needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. The assessment was undertaken by Anglia Ruskin University on behalf of Woking Borough Council, together with, Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne Borough Councils, in accordance with the Housing Act 2004.
The GTAA informed the South East Plan, produced by the South East England Partnership Board (formally the South East Englanfd Regional Assembly), which set the number of pitches required for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople for each local authority.
The GTAA looks at the supply of housing and pitch provision for Gypsies and Travellers and calculates the shortfall and extra pitch need for each local authority for 2007-2012. The assessment does not identify potential locations of land for future site provision.
The South East England Partnership Board had been undertaking a partial review of the South East Plan (policy H7) for the provision for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople in the South East region. However, following the General Election in May 2010, the Partnership Board was disbanded and the new Coalition Government stated its intent to abolish regional strategies. As a result, the review process was never completed. The Planning Inspectorate did, however, publish the unfinished draft of the Panel of Inspectors report on the Examination in Public.
The Council has prepared a new Traveller Accommodation Assessment (TAA) 2013 which updates the 2007 GTAA. It informs future planning policies and site allocations.