Unauthorised sites can cause significant distress for
both the settled and nomadic communities – an issue
increasingly raised in Parliament over recent months.
Many local residents often raise concerns about
anti-social behaviour including fly-tipping and noise,
and evidence also shows that living on unauthorised
sites can have a negative impact on people’s health and
education.
Since 2010, the number of traveller caravans on
authorised sites has increased. However latest figures
show approximately 16% of all caravans – around 3,700 –
are on unauthorised sites.
Housing Minister said:
The vast majority of the travelling community are
decent and law-abiding people. But, we are
particularly concerned about illegal traveller
encampments, and some of the anti-social behaviour
they can give rise to.
We must promote a tolerant society and make sure
there are legal sites available for travellers, but
equally the rule of law must be applied to everyone.
The government is committed to taking action and is
seeking views on what more can be done to ensure local
authorities, the police and landowners can deal with
unauthorised sites and developments efficiently.
Ministers also want to hear about any barriers to the
provision of authorised sites.
The consultation – carried out jointly by the Ministry
of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Home
Office and Ministry of Justice – covers police and
local authority powers, court processes, government
guidance, the provision of legal sites, and the impact
on settled and nomadic communities.
It will emphasise the government’s commitment to the
fair and equal treatment of all communities, including
respecting people’s right to a nomadic way of life,
while balancing this with the interests of settled
communities.
The existing powers for local authorities and the
police to deal with unauthorised encampments can be
found in Dealing with
illegal and unauthorised encampments, published in
March 2015.
For any enquires about the consultation please
contact UnauthorisedDevelopmentandEncampments@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Read a report by the
Traveller Movement, commissioned by the National
Inclusion Health Board, looking at how the living
conditions of Gypsies and Travellers lead to poor
health.
Read the consultation.
The consultation will run until 15 June.
