Improving Gypsy/Traveller Sites Guidance on minimum site standards, and site tenants' core rights and responsibilities. 2026 update – Annex C

Introduction

1. Many Local Authorities (and one Registered Social Landlord) are responsible for providing and running Gypsy/Traveller sites to help meet the accommodation needs of Gypsy/Travellers in their area. In 2013 the Scottish Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee (EOC) published a report, Where Gypsy/Travellers Live, which examined issues around the quality and quantity of such sites. The report made a number of recommendations to improve Gypsy/Traveller site provision in Scotland.

2. In light of the EOC’s report the Scottish Government has taken forward a number of actions relating to Gypsy/Traveller sites. In 2014 we strengthened local strategic planning for accommodation in relation to the needs of Gypsy/Travellers, by publishing revised guidance for Housing Needs and Demand Assessments and for Local Housing Strategies.^[1] In 2014/15 we also funded PAS (Planning Aid Scotland) to carry out a project on planning and the Gypsy/Traveller community.^[2] We also formed the Gypsy/Traveller Site Working Group, which provided us with expert advice and discussed ways of addressing some of the issues raised by the EOC.

3. Two of the areas highlighted by the EOC were the poor quality of some Gypsy/Traveller sites, and the need for site tenants to have consistent tenancy agreements across the country. In light of those points we have developed this guidance for site providers, which has two sections:

a) minimum site standards for Gypsy/Traveller sites;

b) core rights and responsibilities for site tenants.

Taken together these measures will improve the quality of Gypsy/Traveller sites, and set out for site tenants their rights and responsibilities.

4. Information provided to the Scottish Housing Regulator in 2013/14 indicated that the average weekly rent per pitch in Scotland was £63. The highest weekly rent paid for a pitch was £84, and the lowest was £41. Gypsy/Traveller site tenants are entitled to live on sites that meet minimum standards, and to occupancy agreements that reflect certain core rights and responsibilities.

5. These site standards and core rights and responsibilities were developed with input from:

• Gypsy/Traveller site tenants;
• organisations who work with the Gypsy/Traveller community;
• the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO);
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA);
• individual local authorities;
• organisations with expertise in housing.

While developing the guidance officials visited several Gypsy/Traveller sites in different parts of Scotland, to see sites at first hand and discuss the guidance with site tenants.