Lack of Somerset travellers’ sites driving unauthorised encampments, says council

Unauthorised traveller encampments in Somerset will continue until a permanent transit site can be found, Somerset Council has said.

Communities across Somerset have had to contend with numerous instances over the summer of travellers moving onto public open spaces – such as Stoney Furlong in Taunton, Parkway Park in Bridgwater and the South Esplanade in Burnham-on-Sea.

Councillor John Cook-Woodman (one of two Conservative councillors for the Highbridge and Burnham South division) has called on Somerset Council to take a leaf out of their Devon neighbours, claiming Torbay’s Tory administration has managed to move encampments on inside of a week.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, from the ruling Liberal Democrat administration, replied that the council follows the same process as other councils – and the problem would not be solved until a permanent transit site had been secured.

Mr Cook-Woodman raised the issue when the council’s executive committee met in Taunton on Wednesday morning (August 6).

He said: “Conservative-run Torbay Council has an arrangement with SWISCo and Able Enforcement Ltd. to swiftly remove unauthorised encampments from public land.

“This enables them to follow a clear, structured and robust process that can lead to site clearance in as little as six days.

“In Burnham-on-Sea, we’ve seen repeated unauthorised encampments causing disruption to residents and local traders, with concerns raised about the council’s response.

“Can the portfolio holder explain what is being done to address the issue of repeated unauthorised traveller encampments in Burnham-on-Sea – and in Bridgwater, as of this morning?

“What support is being given to local traders impacted, and whether she will consider adopting a more robust approach to tackling these unauthorised traveller encampments like Torbay’s?”

Mr Cook-Woodman subsequently claimed that the council’s enforcement action on Burnham-on-Sea seafront had led to the affected group of travellers merely moving 600 metres away, setting up in the B&M car park.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, council housing, culture, equalities and diversity, responded: “All councils, regardless of their political leadership, have to follow the same legal process in managing unauthorised encampments.

“When we look at Torbay is doing, it is no different to what we’re doing, apart from the fact that they have outsourced some of the parts of the process that we have to follow.

“We have our in-house cleansing team that go out to do the clean-up, and we use bailiffs, whom we appoint as part of the legal process, to undertake some of the work. That process is set out within legislation.

“What we do need people to do is to ensure that they report any unauthorised encampments as soon as they come across them.

“The legal process we follow is different to what you and I would follow if it was our own land, and the processes which town, city and parish councils would follow.”

Numerous public open spaces in Somerset have measures in place to prevent unauthorised access, such as boulders or barriers being installed at the entrances to prevent caravans from getting on site.

Ms Smith-Roberts (who represents the Taunton East division) continued: “Where there are repeated unauthorised encampments, which we have seen across the area, we do look to review the opportunities for different physical protections that we can put on site, while also continuing to understand that we need to maintain access to our open spaces as well – there is a balance to be had.

“We do need a site in Somerset for transit accommodation. I’ve asked for a taskforce to look at that.

“It’s sad that the previous Conservative administration sold one off at Westonzoyland in 2012. There is a small portion of land nearby which is in our ownership, but was not part of that traveller site.

“I think it’s about us looking for that site, so people can come forward with land that they feel is suitable, whether that’s in our ownership or others’.

“There is also a balance to be struck between enforcement and supporting the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community, allowing them to live the lives they wish to lead.”

Numerous sites across Somerset have planning permission in place for permanent travellers’ pitches – with many having sufficient space for caravans, day rooms and motor vehicles.

But Somerset has no permanent transit site where members of the Gypsy, Roma or Traveller (GRT) community can temporarily reside, either while passing through Somerset to other destinations or for attending events (such as the summer solstice, which attracts large crowds at Glastonbury Tor).

Council leader Bill Revans said he had been in touch with his Torbay counterpart David Thomas to share information and see what lessons could be learned from the latter’s approach.

He said: “We have similar situations in Taunton and Yeovil, so it is an issue across the county.

“I do think this piece of work to find a transit site needs to be done, possibly regionally with our fellow council, so we can co-operate and work with our partners and the police to be able to ensure that our communities aren’t impacted as much as they have been this summer.

“I think this summer has been a particularly difficult one for these incursions, and we need to find a way that makes our residents feel safe from these issues.”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Cook-Woodman added: “The current system clearly isn’t working.

“These encampments keep happening, yet the council’s response feels slow and ineffective.

“Residents are rightly frustrated, and businesses are being impacted during one of the busiest times of the year.”