Gypsy and traveller caravan count, January 2013

Statistics on Gypsy and Traveller caravans in Wales on both authorised and unauthorised sites are based on survey data (not a sample survey) collected by local authorities on 17 January 2013. The latest release updates the statistics previously released in September 2012. In January 2013 all 22 local authorities responded to the survey.

The count is used to inform the evidence base when assessing bids from local authorities for the Gypsy and Traveller New Sites Grant and Gypsy and Traveller Refurbishment Grant. The commencement of section 225 of the Housing Act 2004 in December 2007 also requires local authorities to carry out an assessment of the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers as part of the review of housing needs in their area.

The key points from the latest release are:

• there were 924 Gypsy and Traveller caravans reported  in Wales on 17 January 2013
• there were 85 sites across Wales. The number of caravans ranged from 1 to 123 on each site

Authorised sites:

• for the 21 authorities that participated in both the January 2012 and January 2013 count, the number of caravans on authorised sites has increased by 13 per cent (92 caravans) since the January 2012 count. This increase is largely due to the increase in caravans on local authority sites in Cardiff and Pembrokeshire

Unauthorised sites:

• there were 38 caravans on unauthorised sites on land owned by Gypsies and Travellers, accounting for 4 per cent of all caravans
• a further 83 caravans (9 per cent of all caravans) were on unauthorised sites not owned by Gypsies

Gypsy sites provided by local authorities:

• there were 365 pitches on Gypsy and Traveller sites provided by local authorities in Wales on 17 January 2013

Contact

Tel: 029 2082 3371
Email: stats.inclusion@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next update

September 2013 (provisional - to be confirmed on the 'Due out soon' page)