From today residents in the Royal Borough are being asked for their views on the accommodation needs of travellers in the local area.

The consultation which opened today will run until Monday 25th February 2019. It will start by looking at the health, education and accommodation needs of travellers, gypsies, travelling show people and boat dwellers.

It is a legal requirement for the council to prepare a plan to consider the needs of specialised communities in the local area. The first stage of the plan will explore the issues affecting these communities and how the borough will meet them.

Councillor David Coppinger, lead member for planning, said: “Ensuring that both our settled and traveller residents have access to the facilities they need to lead happy, healthy lives is vital.

“This consultation is the first stage in the development of our Traveller Local Plan which will outline how we will meet the accommodation needs of traveller communities now and in the future alongside settled communities.

“Evidence shows that providing high quality sustainable traveller accommodation reduces the occurrence of unauthorised encampments and improves relations with settled communities. Therefore, its key that we hear from all residents to ensure we build a borough for everyone.

Responses to the plans can be submitted online at www3.rbwm.gov.uk/consultations via email by contacting travellerlocalplan@rbwm.gov.uk or by post.