Throughout this report various terminology and abbreviations relating to the topic will be used. The most regularly used are listed below. A full list of definitions can be found at Appendix 1.

Gypsy / Traveller – All members of the Gypsy and Traveller community – not necessarily a particular race or ethnic group. National Planning Policy for Traveller Sites (PPTS), August 2015 sets out the definition of Gypsies and Travellers. For planning purposes, the Government defines Gypsies, Travellers and travelling showpeople as: Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependants’ educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily, but excluding members of an organised group of travelling showpeople or circus people travelling together as such.

GTAA - Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment 2018 - Research undertaken by consultants on behalf of the Council. This document assesses the current site and pitch provision and sets out the future accommodation needs for the travelling community in Ashford.

Pitch - A pitch can be singular or within a group of pitches on a larger site. A pitch contains the caravans and amenity spaces required for one Gypsy or Traveller 'household'. This is quite often static caravan, a tourer caravan, an amenity block, parking and outside space, but can be smaller or larger depending on specific household size and accommodation needs.

Site - A site which is occupied by or allocated for Gypsies or Travellers - this can contain more than 1 pitch.

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