THE findings of the Traveller Needs Survey, which looked at the needs of travellers across all of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, West Norfolk, and parts of Suffolk, were shared at a launch in Wisbech on Monday, July 17. This survey was commissioned by the

THE findings of the Traveller Needs Survey, which looked at the needs of travellers across all of Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, West Norfolk, and parts of Suffolk, were shared at a launch in Wisbech on Monday, July 17.

This survey was commissioned by the local authorities in the Cambridgeshire housing sub-region, to identify the relevant needs and facilities required for our travelling community, and those in adjoining areas.

The survey looked at the present and future health, welfare and accommodation needs of travellers.

Fenland has one of the largest populations of gypsy traveller families in Britain.

It is therefore essential that the council identifies and supports these needs, to build on the knowledge it already possesses about the settled community.

This survey identifies the pitches required to meet the existing and future needs of travellers growing up in the fens.

These will be considered as part of the local development framework which is planning for the needs of our community up to 2021. This will ensure that those who need a settled place to live and those growing up in the near future will have a decent place to stay and gain access to education, health and general services while contributing to these services through council tax.

Cllr Kit Owen said "This is another example of how Fenland is working in partnership and pro-actively to meet the needs of its traveller population.