Localism Bill

170B: After Clause 124, insert the following new Clause— ““Planning permission for sites for Gypsies and Travellers In the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, after section 77 insert— ““77A Planning permission for sites for gypsies and travellers (1) The Secretary of State may direct a local planning authority to grant planning permission for an application involving development which provides a site for the accommodation of a specified number of gypsies and travellers. (2) In the East of England and South West regions, the specified number of gypsies and travellers under subsection (1) may not exceed any number specified for that local authority in the regional strategy. (3) In the North West and South East regions, and in any other region where there is a report by the independent panel appointed by the Secretary of State under section 8 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the specified number of gypsies and travellers under subsection (1) may not exceed the number for that local planning authority in the independent panel report. (4) In any other region, the specified number of gypsies and travellers under subsection (1) may not exceed the number in the gypsy and traveller accommodation needs assessment conducted under section 225 of the Housing Act 2004. (5) In this section ““gypsies and travellers”” has the meaning given by regulations made under section 225 of the Housing Act 2004. (6) The reference to a regional strategy applies to the regional strategy in place at the abolition of regional strategies under section 94 of the Localism Act 2011.””””