Gypsy and Traveller local plan review
Information about how we will ensure accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers in Islington are met as part of the Islington Local Plan though a focused review.
The Islington Local Plan sets out a vision and framework to guide how we manage future development in the borough to make sure housing, employment and other needs are met. As part of the Local Plan, we are required to make sure that Gypsies and Travellers in Islington have places to live that better fit their needs.
The council’s Local Plan was adopted in September 2023 and sets out the need for a focused review of the policy for Gypsy and Travellers.
Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan review process
We started this review in March 2024. At that time, we asked people to share their first thoughts about the plan through a public consultation on the public consultation on the Scope of the Review paper.
Then, between January-March 2025 we carried out a second round of consultation on how we look at possible sites (this was known as the Gypsy and Traveller Site Assessment Methodology). This also included a “Call for Sites” where people could suggest locations for Gypsy and Traveller homes.
What is happening now
We are currently consulting on the Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – Sites and Policies (Regulation 18).
This involves asking for your views on plans to create high-quality, affordable homes for Gypsy and Traveller residents. A number of sites have been identified across the borough, which could provide between 10 and 13 pitches.
The consultation is open until 1 February 2026.
Read more about the consultation on the proposed sites on the Let’s Talk Islington page.
Find out more and have your say
The documents can also be viewed in hard copy at the reception of Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 1UD (9am-5pm Monday to Friday).
Why we are doing this
National planning rules require councils to meet the housing needs of all residents - including pitches for Gypsy and Traveller residents.
Gypsy and Traveller residents have been part of Islington’s diverse communities for decades. For many, living in a caravan is an important part of their culture. But at the moment, there are no pitches for caravans in the borough.
These proposals aim to provide permanent homes for families who already live in Islington, often in social housing, but need accommodation that better fits their needs.
A detailed study carried out by the council in 2019 showed that we need 10 Gypsy and Traveller pitches. New evidence from the Greater London Authority may mean we need 11 pitches over the next 15 years.
What happens next
The provisional timetable is:
- December 2025 - January 2026 - consultation on the initial draft plan and potential sites
- Summer 2026 - final consultation on draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan
- December 2026 - submission for independent examination by planning inspectors.
The adoption timescale will depend on the outcome of the independent examination.