22/91 - Travelling Showpeople

DoE 22/91 and WO 78/91 (6 December 1991)

This circular has now been replaced in England by 'Circular 04/07: Planning for Travelling Showpeople'. This circular still applies in Wales.

This circular gives advice to local authorities about planning considerations relating to travelling showpeople, who travel the country holding fairs. Most showpeople belong to the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, membership of which gives exemption from caravan site licensing requirements.

The circular describes the particular character of showpeople's sites, how they should be treated in development plans and when they should be the subjects of planning applications.

The essential point made is that it is important to hold early discussion of showpeople's needs with the people themselves and local authorities are urged to try to find permanent sites for the travelling communities.

View the document here.