A new planning application has been submitted for a traveller site located just north of the A371 near Axbridge. The proposal seeks permission to establish a family pitch accommodating three caravans to support the local traveller community.
According to the planning statement submitted to Somerset County Council, the applicant highlights a long-standing shortfall in appropriate accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers. “Since 2011, the council has struggled to meet the modest and historic demand for Gypsy and Traveller sites,” the statement reads. It criticizes the council for not updating the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) to reflect current needs and calls this a failure to fulfill statutory obligations.
The application further notes, “The persistent shortage of transit and permanent pitch provision, combined with widespread hostility towards Gypsies and Travellers, leaves many with limited housing options.” This shortage is not unique to Somerset but is a wider national issue.
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The travelling community includes various ethnic groups such as Irish Travellers and Roma people. The 2021 UK census recorded around 71,000 individuals identifying as Gypsy or Irish Traveller—approximately 0.1% of the population in England and Wales. Additionally, over 100,000 people identified as Roma, making up about 0.2% of the population. Both groups often face significant social prejudice and disparities in health and education outcomes.
The term “Gypsy” is complex and occasionally controversial. While used neutrally in the census and embraced by some individuals, others find it offensive. The planning proposal aims to provide much-needed accommodation options in a respectful and inclusive manner.