Travellers move after legal action - Dundee

From the Evening Telegraph

A group of Travellers has quit an illicit site on the western outskirts of Dundee following legal action by the landowners.

The Tele has learned the site agent obtained a legal possession order relating to the camp at the Dundee Technology Park.

Travellers had been on the land next to the former General Accident call centre for a week.

A spokesman for the city council said the caravans were moving to the official site at Balmuir Wood, Tealing.

“It has been decided to use the site as a transit site at the moment,” he said.

The local authority has indicated its desire to see Travellers use the official camp amid issues surrounding the illicit sites in Dundee.

Two areas on the city’s northern outskirts were left strewn with refuse and rubble in the aftermath of encampments last month — leaving the local authority with a five-figure clear-up bill.

Concerns about litter have also been raised in relation to the more recent camps, on private land at Riverside Drive and then the Technology Park.

Local councillor Fraser Macpherson welcomed the news that the Travellers had decided to move on.

Councillor Macpherson said: “If it is indeed the case the travellers have moved to the City Council’s site at Balmuir Wood, this is good news as it is a purpose-built facility and avoids further unauthorised occupation of land like we have witnessed recently.

“I have been in touch with council legal officers about the legal position as I think it’s important to try to avoid the unauthorised occupancy of land in the future, particularly given the concerns about build-up of rubbish.

“I also think it is important that land owners try to ensure their land is well-secured to avoid such occupations in the future.”

The Tele has submitted a dossier to Dundee City Council detailing community concerns about the unofficial Traveller camps and encouraging the authority to press for changes in legislation.

The dossier quoted householders who live near illicit camps, stating concerns about noise, disturbances and discarded litter.

Environment convener Craig Melville said at the time: “We need a formal approach because it is a recurring problem and we need to face up to that because otherwise it could go on and on.”

see also The Courier - Travellers leave unofficial camp at Dundee Technology Park after legal move