The Council’s plans to deliver a 13 pitch Gypsy & Traveller site on land adjacent to the Lower Bristol Road, Bath, are moving forward it has been announced.
The moving forward of the plans include obtaining planning permission, securing vacant possession of the site and selecting a housing association to deliver the scheme.
The Council is expecting to exchange contracts with Elim Housing, which has been selected to develop and manage the site, within the next few days.
Elim Housing is an experienced and highly regarded housing association which is also developing a Gypsy & Traveller site in Weston-Super-Mare.
Elim’s building contractor is currently undertaking pre-commencement mobilisation works on the site including hoardings and site storage.
The scheme, which is expected to be completed by March 2015 will provide eight permanent pitches and five temporary or transit pitches.
The permanent pitches will be subject to rent, and Council Tax. The Council Tax bandings will be set by the Valuation Office Agency, though are likely to be Band A, currently £963 per year.
In addition the transit pitches will be subject to a yet to be agreed daily rate.
Cllr Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Homes & Planning, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council has a statutory duty to provide a suitable site for Gypsy & Travellers and therefore remains committed to delivering this project within our original budget.
“Elim Housing is developing the scheme for a cost of £1.62m, funded by £870,000 from Council-supported borrowing and £750,000 from Central Government.
“The build costs are in line with other schemes that meet current Government standards.”
