Travellers remain in West Sussex village after parish council chairman visits site with police
Enforcement action could be taken, after a group of travellers set up an unauthorised camp in Yapton.
West Sussex County Council (WSCC) said it is ‘aware of an unauthorised traveller encampment on King George’s Field’.
"This land is owned by Yapton Parish and they are responsible for any enforcement action,” a WSCC statement – on Tuesday, July 28 – read.
"We have been in touch with Yapton Parish Council to offer advice and guidance.”
Arun district councillor Amanda Worne – who chairs the parish council – shared a social media statement over the weekend.
This read: “We are aware of the situation with travellers on our green and our clerk has started the process to have them moved on.
“Obviously we know this is a concern for residents but we will do our best to ensure that the process is completed as soon as possible.”
Councillor Worne reported, on Saturday, that the police accompanied her to speak to the travellers, and that she issued a verbal notice of eviction for what she described as ‘breaking an entry onto the field and trespassing on private land’.
She said the meeting was ‘all very civilised’. She had hoped the travellers would have moved on by July 28 – when the car park was due to close for drainage work – but this was not the case.
Councillor Worne said she had asked the group to be respectful of the land and keep it tidy.
She added that the travellers told her they had bin bags for their rubbish and that they had a fireplace, meaning they would not light fires directly on the field.
She ended her update by thanking residents for their patience, and saying she hoped the travellers would leave soon so the village could ‘resume its normal way of life again’.
After sharing updates on social media, Mrs Worne said she received ‘sarcastic and rude’ messages from members of the local community.
"I have read all the comments – I just find it quite hurtful and unkind that people are so rude,” the councillor said.
"All the parish council has done is follow the legal procedures, that are required during these circumstances. If people have any further issues you would like to raise regarding the travellers, then they need to contact the police.
“it's not a simple process, and people need to be respectful of that. The local authorities and local councils do their best, but they often have their hands tied.”
Meanwhile, a Littlehampton park will be inspected after a group of travellers were moved on.
An ‘unauthorised encampment’ was reported to have arrived at Rosemead Park, near The Littlehampton Academy, on Tuesday, July 21.
The landowner, Littlehampton Town Council (LTC), issued updates about the situation on social media.
The latest post on Facebook read: “Following enforcement action, whereby Sussex Police issued a notice requiring the occupants to leave the site today, Friday, July 24, the unauthorised encampment at Rosemead Park has now departed.
“Now the site has been vacated, the park will be inspected, and any necessary cleaning or maintenance works will be undertaken. Some works may take place over the following days, depending on the nature of any issues identified and contractor availability.
“We'll also be working with partner agencies to consider additional site security improvements to help prevent future unauthorised encampments.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
The town council said there were ‘approximately 15 caravans/motorhomes’ at the site.