1 Site locations
The county council own and manage 9 permanent Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites in West Sussex.
- Adversane - Billingshurst
- Cousins Copse - Five Oaks near Horsham
- Easthampnett - near Tangmere
- New Fairplace Hill - Burgess Hill
- Little Horsgate - Cuckfield
- Ryebank - Yapton
- Walstead - Haywards Heath
- Westbourne
- New Withy Park - near Lancing
2 Eligibility
To apply for a plot you must be:
- at least 18 years old
- a Gypsy or Traveller, either by ethnic group or under the current legal definition
- not intentionally homeless under the Housing Act 1996
You will not be eligible if there is evidence of recent behaviour, by you or a member of your household, that is likely to affect the management of the site and/or adversely impact on the site community.
You would not be eligible to apply if you, or a member of your household, have:
- used threatening language or behaviour to any officer of a council, their representatives or contractors
- been subject to an injunction over violent behaviour in the past three years
- supplied false or misleading information when making an application
- deliberately worsened their housing situation without reasonable cause
- moved onto one or more of our sites without the county council's licence or consent
- property in West Sussex, or any other county, which they can reasonably be expected to occupy
- a housing related debt from previous occupation of council sites
3 Apply for a plot
You can apply for a plot at more than one site. The more sites you apply for, the greater your chances of being allocated a plot.
Apply for a plot (external link)Only a few plots become available for letting each year. Some sites have limits on space meaning that they are not suitable for everyone.
If you are allocated a plot, we will ensure you are compatible with other existing family groupings on the site and residents within the area.
Waiting list
If there are no plots available, you will be added to the waiting list for 12 months. You will need to contact us after the 12 months if you wish to remain on the waiting list.
Being on the waiting list does not automatically mean that you will receive an offer of accommodation.
4 Allocating plots
Allocations will be made on a points based system to assess an applicant’s housing need and level of priority, with one point being gained for each full month on the waiting list (capped at 12 months).
Local connections
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Applicants have lived in West Sussex for at least 12 months | 20 |
| Applicants have been travelling in the immediate county borders (evidence to be provided) | 10 |
| Applicants have a close family resident (siblings, children, parents or grandparents) in the area | 15 |
Problems with existing accommodation
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Homeless (through no fault of their own) | 20 |
| Given notice to quit (through no fault of their own) | 15 |
| At risk of eviction (through no fault of their own) | 10 |
| On West Sussex transit site | 20 |
| On unauthorised encampment or development | 15 |
| Young adult (18 and over) living with parents on existing site and getting married | 15 |
| Previously lived on a travellers' site and finding it difficult to maintain a tenancy in bricks and mortar | 10 |
Medical conditions
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Applicant has significant health problems (mental or physical) and requires support | 20 |
| A member of the applicant's family has significant health problems (mental or physical) | 20 |
Family considerations (capped at 3 children)
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Children under 12 months | 5 per child |
| Children 1-18 years old | 5 per child |
| Pregnancy | 10 |
| Applicant or family members over 60 | 10 per person |
Welfare considerations
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Applicant fears for their personal safety and is at risk of, or escaping, violence (through no fault of their own) | 20 |
| Applicant has experienced racial harassment and intimidation | 15 |
| Applicant is required to care for or support a member of their family who is an exiting resident on the site (health reasons) | 15 |
Educational considerations
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Requirement to maintain an existing local school placement | 5 per child |
| Child with a statement of special educational needs | 10 per child |
| Requirement for child to commence education | 10 per child |
5 Appeals
There is no specific appeals procedure if you are refused a plot or not included on the waiting list.
Any grievances can be handled via our formal complaints procedure.
6 Transferring to another site
If you would like to transfer to another site you will need to provide a written request detailing the circumstances and reason for the transfer request.
All rent and water payments must be up to date prior to making an application. Your pitch and utility block must be clean and tidy.
Transfers will be given priority over new applications.