West Norfolk Council hunts for gypsy and traveller sites

West Norfolk Council is seeking to meet a growing demand for the sites in the district, which it must legally provide.

It follows the government identifying it needs to find 71 pitches in the next five years and 97 by 2040 for its local plan to be approved.

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Many of the new pitches, which will be used to accommodate caravans, have been earmarked for existing sites which have space for more people to stay there.

Others have been established for a long period of time but as of yet have not been granted authorised permission to be used as gypsy and traveller sites.

A frosty morning in South Creake - pitches have been proposed for two sites outside the village (Image: Newsquest)

There are only two new applications proposed for the district, including land in West Dereham and in Walsoken.

The bid to create a new site in West Dereham has been met with fierce objections from locals and villagers have since found the backing of former prime minister and Norfolk MP, Liz Truss.

Liz Truss with objectors to the new travellers' site at West Dereham (Image: Liz Truss)

A public consultation is set to be launched, which will look to identify further potential sites as well as offering an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the pitches proposed.

The matter has been discussed at a local plan task group, during which members raised concerns that some of the pitches would lie in areas at high flood risk.

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The Tramways in Outwell (Image: Newsquest)

This is due to there being a limited number of sites available and further assessments and flood mitigation measures will be proposed if these sites are pursued, according to officers.

West Norfolk Council leader Terry Parish explained that it was vital to find these sites in order for the district's local plan to be approved to meet the requirements of government legislation.

A public consultation will likely follow if approved by cabinet members next week.

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Here is a list of the sites proposed.

A new pitch on land off Brandon Road near Methwold village has been proposed (Image: Denise Bradley)

Sites that the Council consider are suitable to accommodate further pitches:

• 19 - 121 Magdalen Road, Tilney St Lawrence - One pitch
•  Homefields, (Western Side, Goose Lane), Walpole St Andrew - One pitch
• Land at The Lodge, Small Lode, Upwell - One pitch
• Land at 2 Primrose Farm, Small Lode, Upwell - Five pitches
• Land at Botany Bay, Upwell - One pitch
• Land at Four Acres, Upwell - One pitch
• Many Acres (Smithy's Field), Small Lode, Upwell, Norfolk - Two pitches
• Land at Creaksville, South Creake - One pitch
• Land at Green Acres, Upwell - Two pitches
• Land at Oak Tree Lodge, The Common, South Creake - Three pitches
• Land at Red Barn, Cowles Drove, Hockwold cum Wilton - Three pitches
• Land at the Pines, Whittington - One pitch
• Land at Victoria Barns, Basin Road, Outwell - One pitch
• Wheatley Bank, Walsoken (South of Worzals parallel to A47) - Nine pitches
• Land at Spriggs Hollow, Walsoken - Four pitches
• Land at Brandon Road, Methwold - One pitch

The Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen village sign (Image: Newsquest)

Pitches historically used that could be authorised:

• The Stables, Walpole St Andrew - One pitch
• Land Next to Clydesdale, Biggs Road, Walsoken - One pitch
• Homefield, Common Rd South, Walton Highway - One pitch
• Spriggs Hollow - One pitch

New sites at:

• Land at Station Road, West Dereham - 10 pitches
• Land to the West of Country Park Travellers Site Wheatley Bank, Walsoken - One pitch

Sites for Travelling Showpeople at:

• Land at the Oaks, Northwold - One pitch
• Land at Redgate Farm, Magdalen Road, Tilney St Lawrence - Two pitches
• Llamedos – Syderstone - One pitch