Hammersmith and Fulham has been given a proposed target of 24 new pitches by 2036/37, while neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea has zero
A Hammersmith and Fulham councillor has warned of “understandable public concern” regarding targets for the number of new Gypsy and Traveller pitches in the borough, highlighting a stark contrast between different areas.
Conservative Councillor Jeremy Maddocks, Shadow Cabinet Member for Community Safety, has written to Hammersmith and Fulham seeking feedback on the local authority’s response after it emerged the borough is expected to deliver 24 new sites by 2036/37 according to the Mayor’s draft London Plan.
This stands in stark contract to neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea’s target of 0.
A council spokesperson said they do not agree with the findings of the London-wide assessment, and that it will respond to the live consultation “accordingly”.
Under Sir Sadiq Khan’s draft Plan, London’s councils are all given 10-year targets for additional permanent sites. A total of 876 pitches across London are listed, with Havering projected to deliver the most at 73.
Hammersmith and Fulham, London’s third-smallest borough, has a proposed target of 24, more than larger local authority areas including Wandsworth (7), Barnet (16) and Ealing (11).
A footnote in the draft Plan states Hammersmith and Fulham’s need is shared with neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea, which has a target of 0 pitches over the next 10 years. The draft London Plan is currently in the midst of a public consultation, due to run until October.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) however understands that elements of the initial report are believed to be flawed, with Stable Way – which is entirely within Kensington and Chelsea – assumed to be within Hammersmith and Fulham.
The uneven split between the two boroughs has led to accusations of unfairness, with Cllr Maddocks writing to his opposite number, Cllr Lisa Homan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, on the issue.
In his letter, Cllr Maddocks requested clarification on the local authority’s position on seven points.
These included whether Hammersmith and Fulham Council has formally responded to the proposed target, if it has challenged the distribution between the borough and Kensington and Chelsea, and what the evidence base is for local need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches.
“There has been understandable public concern about a figure of 24 sites in a Central London borough when space is scarce and there is not enough land for existing residents’ needs,” he wrote.
Cllr Maddocks also asked for details regarding the potential alternative-use value of land owned by the council being considered for pitches.
“Has the council assessed the opportunity cost against genuinely affordable housing, temporary accommodation, supported housing, private residential development, commercial or employment use, public open space and community facilities?
“In a borough with acute housing pressure, those assessments should be transparent and should explain how each proposal delivers the best overall use of scarce land.”
Cllr Maddocks told the LDRS: “I wrote to the Cabinet Member responsible for Community Safety on August 20 and am still awaiting a full reply.
“Residents in Hammersmith and Fulham rightly want clarity on where any proposed Gypsy and Traveller pitches would be located, how suitable space could be found in one of the country’s most densely developed boroughs, and what assessment has been made of the effect on land needed for local housing, community facilities and other vital services.
“The council must be transparent about the evidence, costs, consultation and the options considered before decisions are made.”
A Hammersmith and Fulham Council spokesperson said: “Hammersmith and Fulham Council does not agree with the findings of the London-wide assessment, particularly the level of need attributed to the borough.
“Our assessment has reached substantially different conclusions and we will respond to the London Plan consultation accordingly.”
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The draft London Plan requires every borough to plan for the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities, helping to address a long-standing shortage of suitable sites.
“It is for boroughs to decide how best to meet identified need for Gypsy and Traveller pitches through their local plans, in consultation with their local communities.
“Neither the Mayor nor the GLA have proposed any specific Gypsy and Traveller sites and it is up to the councils to determine together how they will deliver these locally.”
Following the draft Plan’s consultation an examination in public is to be held, penned in for next year. Adoption is then expected in early 2028.
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