Draft guidance for managing unauthorised encampments - Annex 1: glossary

Protocol

This is an agreed plan for how services will deal with an issue.

Public authority

As well as councils, there are other groups like the National Parks or Natural Resources Wales who look after large areas of land for the public. Sometimes they have to evict families who have stopped in their area.

Pitch

Land on a mobile home site where occupiers are entitled to station their mobile homes indefinitely (unless stated in their pitch agreement). Typically includes an amenity block, space for a static caravan and touring caravan and parking.

The layout of the pitch will depend on the overall site design. An important element in the design and size of pitches is the intended capacity. Section 60 of the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act defines ‘mobile home’ as measuring up to 20 metres in length and 6.8 metres in width.

Local authority site

This is a site owned and operated by the local authority. This site will be designated for use as a Gypsy and Traveller site. Residents on these sites can expect to occupy their pitches for as long as they abide by the terms of their pitch agreements, under the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013.

Working space may also be provided on, or near, sites for activities carried out by community members.

Site

A site will include a range of facilities, (dependent on size of land and requirements), connections to utilities, community building, play area, footpath around the site, public lighting and fencing/trees to create a perimeter boundary for security and enclosure.

Temporary/Negotiated Stopping Place

These are intended to be short-term in nature to assist local authorities where a need for pitches is accepted. 
Provision must be made for waste disposal, water supply and sanitation at a minimum.

These sites only have planning permission or a site licence for a limited period. Residents on these sites can expect to occupy their pitches for the duration of the planning permission or site licence (or as long as they abide by the terms of their pitch agreements, under the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013, whichever is sooner).

Traveller Education Service (TES)

These are teachers who work closely with Gypsy and Traveller children to make sure they receive a suitable education.

Transit pitch

Land on a mobile home site where occupiers are entitled to station their mobile homes for a maximum of three months. Transit pitches can exist on local authority sites, however, this is not recommended.

Transit site

Transit sites are permanent facilities designed for temporary use by occupiers for a maximum of 3 months at a time. Local authorities will be responsible for maintaining the site waste disposal, water supply and sanitation may be made available subject to a charge. 

Specific terms under the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 apply on these sites. Working space may also be provided on, or near, sites for activities carried out by community members.

Unauthorised encampment

 Land occupied without the permission of the owner or without the correct land use planning permission.
Encampments may be used on a temporary basis in the absence of available transit or temporary/negotiated stopping place provision and may be accepted by the local authority, whilst alternative sites are developed.

Bricks and mortar

A house or a flat, often referred to as conventional housing.  They may be socially rented, privately rented or owned.

Settled communities

A house or a flat, often referred to as conventional housing. They may be socially rented, privately rented, or owned.