Families from London's Gypsy and Traveller communities are expressing cautious optimism after Islington Council identified nine potential locations for long-awaited permanent pitches in the borough.
A Long-Awaited Search for Culturally Appropriate Homes
The search for suitable land has spanned several years, hampered by planning obstacles and resident objections. Under the Housing Act 2004, the local authority has a legal duty to meet the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers, but until now has been unable to deliver "culturally appropriate" sites in Islington.
A local review in 2019 confirmed that most of the borough's Gypsy and Traveller community have lived there for years, with some households first arriving in caravans during the 1970s. For many, living in a caravan is a vital part of their ethnic identity and cultural heritage.
Philomena Mongan, an Irish Traveller advocate based in Hackney, said families were "very happy" to see the new proposals. She praised Islington Council for "really pushing for these sites to be delivered, even though they're going to be small."
Facing a 'Shameful' Backlash and Safety Concerns
However, the process has already been marred by significant public opposition. Council officers were forced to cut "discriminatory" remarks from an official consultation report. Ms Mongan labelled the reaction "shameful," noting that many families have deep roots in the area.
One local Traveller, named Lisa, told reporters she, her children, and grandchildren were "all born in Islington." For safety, she requested anonymity due to risks of harassment, revealing: "My car was vandalised the last time we were in the papers."
Nancy Hawker, a policy officer at London Gypsies and Travellers (LGT), stated that families in the borough are "desperate for pitches" and blamed previous failures on "extensive" campaigning against proposals.
The Proposed Sites and a Cautious Consultation Plan
The nine potential sites, whittled down from an initial list of 252, could accommodate up to 13 pitches. They include council-owned land on social housing estates like Aubert Court and Mayville, open spaces such as Pleasant Place Garden, and other vacant plots.
Learning from a failed attempt in 2022, where options were rejected by planning inspectors, the council is now adopting a cautious approach. Official documents state the Town Hall wants to avoid scenarios that could foster "unmoderated debate" and hostile comments.
The upcoming consultation, running from December 2025 to January 2026, will explicitly discourage and reject inappropriate or racist feedback. Some locals have previously argued the densely-populated borough should look for sites outside Islington, while others demanded proof of long-term residence from the community.
Despite the anticipated challenges, the identification of these nine sites represents the most significant progress in years for Islington's Gypsy and Traveller families awaiting secure, permanent homes.
