Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan Review

The Council is currently consulting on the ‘Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – Sites and Policies’ document. The consultation closes on 1 February 2026.

The Islington Local Plan sets out a vision and framework to guide how future development in the borough is managed to ensure housing, employment and other needs are met. As part of this, the council must make sure the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers are met. To do this, a focused review of the Local Plan began in March 2024.

Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – Sites and Policies (Regulation 18)

The document includes policies and site proposals to accommodate between 10 to 13 pitches for Islington’s Gypsy and Traveller community. Gypsy and Traveller residents have been part of Islington’s diverse communities for generations. There are currently no sites with pitches for caravans in the borough. For many Gypsies and Travellers, living in a caravan is an essential part of their ethnic identity and social and cultural heritage. The proposals seek to meet the need for permanent residential sites for Gypsy and Traveller residents who already live in conventional housing in Islington.

What is the purpose of this consultation?

This consultation gives people a chance to share their views on the 'Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – Sites and Policies' document. It’s the first step in creating the plan in line with national planning policy and regulations.

What is included in this consultation?

This consultation includes the ‘Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – Sites and Policies’ and the supporting evidence documents which can be downloaded from the documents section.

Is there any further information?

We have prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document available to download from the ‘FAQs’ section. There is also a consultation leaflet for each proposed site. If you require the leaflets in an alternative format, please contact us by email at planningpolicy@islington.gov.uk.

Information sessions

We are holding information sessions where you can ask council officers questions and find out more about all the proposed sites. The information sessions will take place at Islington Town Hall on the following dates:

• 10 December 2025, between 6-8pm
• 16 December 2025, between 12:30-2:30pm
• 17 December 2025, between 6-8pm
• 12 January 2026, between 6-8pm
• 13 January 2026, between 12:30-2:30pm
• 20 January 2026, between 6-8pm

To sign up for a 30-minute slot on one of these dates, please register online on the Eventbrite page.

If you do not have digital access, you can register in person at the Islington Town Hall reception (9am-5pm from Monday-Friday). Please note you can only attend one of the information sessions if you have signed up.

Get Involved

To provide comments on the ‘Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – Sites and Policies’ please read the consultation papers in the documents section. Physical copies are available to view at Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

There are three ways to respond:

• Complete the online survey below; or
• Email planningpolicy@islington.gov.uk ; or
• Respond via post by writing to the following address: Freepost RTXU-ETKU-KECB, Planning Policy, Islington Council 2nd Floor, Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD.

Please note that to be considered, all comments must be made in writing.

Consultation information

The consultation period for feedback on the ‘Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan – Sites and Policies’ closes on 1 February 2026.

Inappropriate comments that make use of stereotypes and discriminatory language to characterise the Gypsy and Traveller community will be rejected. Please see the 'Anti-racism engagement statement' in the documents section for more information.

If you respond to this consultation we will notify you about future consultations on this issue unless you request not to be notified.

Please note that comments will be made publicly available. Providing your address will help us better understand the specific planning impacts of the proposed site locations. We will remove names and personal contact information. For more information on the basis on which we process, use and store your information, please refer to the council’s privacy policy: Privacy policy | Let's Talk Islington.

What happens next?

Responses to this consultation will be carefully considered and changes can be made to the initial proposals to reflect the feedback received. Following this, there will be another round of public consultation on the final Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan (under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning Act) in Summer 2026 before it is submitted for an independent examination by Planning Inspectors.