Travellers and Unauthorised camping

A revised and updated protocol for handling unauthorised encampments by Gypsy/Travellers was approved by Housing and Social Work Committee in May 2010.  You can view this under Current Documents.  It also contains a list of service contacts and a flowchart which sets out the process we follow when dealing with encampments.

We recognise and respect the fact that:

• People may wish to follow a travelling way of life.
• There should be no discrimination against Gypsy/Travellers because of their way of life and culture.
• Some services such as education and health may be difficult for Gypsy/Travellers to access.

Gypsy/Travellers, like other members of the community are responsible for:

• Looking after land that they use.
• Ensuring that they do not cause any fire risk or other risk (e.g. by parking too close together).
• Disposing of rubbish properly.
• Keeping animals tied up or under control at all times.
• Respecting the way of life of others.

The Council will not needlessly evict Gypsy/Travellers from land that we own. 
 
We will consider the following things before deciding whether to require an unauthorised camp to move:

• The number of vehicles in relation to the size of the area and how they are parked.
• The intended length of stay.
• Any exceptional needs, for example, health needs.
• Road safety.
• What the land is normally used for and any urgent need for it.
• Potential damage to the land.
• The effect on the local community.

We will make sure that people in the camp know what the decision is and the reasons for it. We will also provide information about services that are available.

If you have any queries, please use our contact form