​A SHAKE-UP in planning rules will cut the time it takes to evict Gypsies and travellers from unauthorised developments.

Last autumn three Gypsy families were given six months to quit after Plymouth City Council planning committee turned down two retrospective applications to stay on plots on Ridge Road, Plympton.

The council admitted later that appeals against the decision could take up to 12 months.

John Denham, the Communities Secretary, yesterday welcomed new planning rules which will speed up the enforcement process so that quicker action can be taken against developments without planning permission such as unauthorised Gypsy and Traveller sites.

The new rules will take effect next month, slashing the time that must elapse before local authorities can take action against unauthorised camps, and other developments lacking planning permission.

From April 6, the time allowed to lodge an appeal will be reduced from six months to 28 days.

A council spokeswoman said: “We welcome any appropriate powers to make evictions happen as smoothly as possible as long as they are alongside Government support to establish authorised sites as an alternative.

“We need to resolve the root cause of this problem rather than simply moving the problem around and we need to balance the needs of both the settled community and the Gypsy and Traveller community.”

Mr Denham also urged councils to make full use of powers to deal with and where possible prevent anti-social behaviour associated with Gypsies and Travellers – whether they are the perpetrators or the victims.

New guidance to help communities tackle anti-social behaviour said local councils need to work more closely with other agencies to address anti-social behaviour.

As with all communities only a small minority of Gypsies and Travellers behave anti-socially and their mobile lifestyle can exacerbate this – but perceptions that the community is not dealt with the same as other communities damage public confidence about fair treatment for all, Mr Denham said.

The Government yesterday published guidance for local authorities, the police and other agencies, setting out the strong powers available to them, including Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) and injunctions.

The guidance makes clear what action can be taken in policing and prevention, fly-tipping, noise, straying livestock and untaxed vehicles.

Mr Denham said: “Everyone has the right to expect to live in neighbourhoods that are free from anti-social behaviour – whether it is unruly neighbours, aggressive gangs or mindless vandals.

“While much has been achieved there are still communities where such behaviour causes real misery. Everyone has responsibilities and rights and no one should receive preferential treatment.

“Local councils and the police have strong powers and tools to crack down on anti-social behaviour – and I expect them to be used to the full.”

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “Anti-social behaviour, which I am determined to tackle, devastates people’s lives and runs down our communities.”

“The Gypsy and Traveller community is treated no differently than the rest of the community. Perpetrators of crime and antisocial behaviour will be punished and, where appropriate, taken through the criminal courts and jailed.”

The publication builds on measures put in place for local councils to provide new authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers, and tough powers for local authorities to use when dealing with camping on unauthorised land.

John Denham is challenging local councils to use the Government funds available to provide authorised sites which could substantially cut enforcement costs, currently estimated at £18million a year.

However, the Government last month rejected an application from Plymouth City Council to build a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site in Efford.