Ross-on-Wye is one of the areas being considered by Herefordshire County Council for a new site for Travellers.

Herefordshire Council has launched a public consultation on potential new sites and site extensions for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People, as part of the preparation of the Herefordshire Local Plan Traveller Site policy.

The consultation will run until Monday, September 19th and those seeking more information can visit: herefordshire.gov.uk/traveller-sites-consultation

Hard copies can also be viewed at information points such as libraries and customer service centres across Herefordshire.

There will also be a drop in session at the Larruperz Centre, Ross-on-Wye on Thursday, September 8th, from 4pm until 7pm.

Research carried out to assess current and future accommodation requirements for members of these groups have identified a need for additional authorised and transit pitches.

Detailed studies have identified the level of need in our district as being 19 permanent pitches, five for Travelling Show People and three temporary stopping pitches in the first five years of the plan.

The locations under consideration, following the ‘call for sites’ that ran from December 2015 to February 2016, are; Ross-on-Wye, Leominster, Lower Bullingham, Bromyard, Trumpet/Pixley, Pembridge, Sutton St Nicholas and Grafton.

Herefordshire Council have said that the establishment of transit pitches will enable the movement of Travellers through the county to be managed more harmoniously, providing greater certainty for Travellers and local residents alike.

The council is still inviting land to be put forward for consideration as possible new sites, as further sites will be required for 2020 onwards.

Following the consultation, a complete summary of responses will be published on the council website.

A draft document will be prepared for approval by the council including the recommended final sites. This will then be published and subject to public consultation.

That document, together with all the responses received, will be submitted to the planning inspectorate for public examination by a government appointed planning inspector.

The planning inspector will chair round table discussions to discuss the issues raised and will decide who to invite to these sessions.

A report will be issued by the inspector and subject to the plan being found to be sound, it will be adopted by the Council