We at Clearwater run both Permanent and Transit Gypsy sites. Our sites are recognised in the “Draft Guidance of the Department of Communities and Local Government” (DCLG) as “Best Practice” on how to run Gypsy and Traveller sites. In many cases the local settled community does not know or need to be concerned that the site is there.

We at Clearwater Gypsies are trying to move away from the failures of the 1968 Caravan Act, where Gypsy sites were placed in marginalised locations (under electricity pylons, next to sewage works, near refuse tips and airports) and far from all local amenities and services (bus routes, shops, post office, health & educational facilities).

We want to see the provision of sites which, while acceptable to the nearby settled non Gypsy community, are also locations that Gypsies & Travellers would consider suitable. Which means, sites where even the settled community would consider locating their own dwellings. In other words sites that will instill pride in those that live there and live nearby.

If a Gypsy attempts to set up a permanent or transit site, they have to adhere to strict planning criteria. We believe that local authorities sites should also adhere to these same criteria, when they create Gypsy sites. We believe this would produce better quality accommodation for Gypsy and Travellers and also go a long way to engage Gypsy and Travellers in the local community rather than perpetuating the stigma of “outsiders” that exists about the Gypsy and Traveller people.

We were one of the original architects of the Cambridge Project and were instrumental in designing the questionnaire for the plan. This project is itself now recognised as “Good Practice Cambridge Project” by the Government.

Clearwater Gypsies provide consultancy on :-

Site Design

• Site Location.
• How to best layout a site so that it works for its occupants and the surrounding population.

Site Management

• How to Manage and Run a Permanent Site.
• How to Manage and Run Transit sites.