Government is making iteasier to move travellers

THE Government says it has made it easier for councils to move on travellers who set up illegally on public land.
Travellers on Rye SaltsTravellers on Rye Salts
Travellers on Rye Salts

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said the Government had made it “much more efficient” for councils to issue stop notices and levy fines against travellers who contravened regulations.

And he says the Government has issued guidelines to councils making them more aware of the legal powers at their disposal.

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Earlier this year Rother Council had to take action after travellers pulled onto Rye Salts with a number of caravans. The travellers were moved on within a day,

New guidelines outline the legal powers councils and landowners have to remove unauthorised traveller sites, protest camps and squatters from both public and private land, as well as tackling the mess caused by the sites.

Mr Pickles said that too often councils claim that “nothing can be done” and fail to use the powers available to them.

“We inherited a situation where the number of illegal sites had gone up fourfold and what we expect them to do is to obey the law like you and I do.

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“We’ve made £60m available for new sites we’re treating it exactly the same way as we’re treating housing, so the New Homes Bonus is available.

“But it does not give people the right to come onto the green belt or to come onto a village green and trash it.

“The summary of powers has been sent directly to local council leaders and the Government hopes it will give local residents a stronger voice in challenging their local authority to take action.”

A statement from the Department of Local Government and Communities said councils “merely need the political will to uphold the law”.

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Mr Pickles said: “I want all councils to be ready to take action straightaway to stop illegal camps and unauthorised sites starting in the first place.

“Decisive action early on saves money and unnecessary upset for local residents. We’ve strengthened councils’ powers so they have the confidence to take decisive action.

He has revoked Labour’s Equality and Diversity in Planning guidance, which he said told councils not to take enforcement action against unauthorised travellers, and suggested planning rules should be applied differently to individuals depending on their background.

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