Illegal Traveller site at Somerset beauty spot 'ignored by council', say residents

From the Western Gazette

Residents are urging Somerset County Council to take action on an unauthorised Traveller site at a beauty spot between Lopen and Merriott.

Neighbours believe the council is ignoring the situation on the parcel of land known as Eggwood, which has been rumbling on for almost four years.

The Hughes family moved on to the land in May 2008 and since then have been embroiled in a legal battle with the landowners, Somerset County Council.

Upset Lopen residents voiced their concern to parish councillors at a recent council meeting.

A spokesman said: “The land was designated amenity land for local residents to mark millennium year 2000.

“Some time ago Somerset County Council, owner of the site, agreed to transfer joint ownership of this land to the parishes of Lopen, Merriott and Hinton St George.

“The sale cannot proceed, however, until the site’s current occupants, who have been offered alternative accommodation elsewhere by South Somerset District Council, have moved on.

“Local residents are of the opinion, after almost four years the responsible authorities have evidently decided to ignore the situation at Eggwood.

“Over this period, more and more vehicles have been parked on what was intended to be a pleasant, wooded area for local residents to enjoy but which is now, in reality, a no-go area for them.”

The Hugheses have previously said they wanted to fit into the local community and not be treated as outcasts. Their children attend school locally and mum, Emma, said she did not want her children moved away from their school and friends.

The Hugheses could not be reached for a comment as the Western Gazette went to press.

A county council spokesman said: “We appreciate that local residents are unhappy about the situation and we can assure them we are doing what we can to sort this matter out.

“The county council has tried through the courts to resolve the unauthorised occupation of the amenity land at Eggwood Hill.

“The council is currently preparing a comprehensive case to make a renewed legal effort to get the land back while also taking into account the relevant welfare, educational and health needs of the occupants, in particular the six children involved, as we are required to do.”

Lopen parish clerk Carole Mansfield said: “There are a lot of people concerned with this issue because it has been going on for so long.

“The lack of information and a timescale as to when action would be taken seemed to be the problem with residents, who do raise this regularly.

“The upshot now is that it’s beginning to move on at a level above ourselves. The ball is beginning to roll.”

A spokesman from South Somerset District Council said: “The county council has taken legal action to have the family evicted but thus far, we understand that the action has not been successful.

“The district council’s housing team has been involved in an advisory capacity but is not able to discuss the personal circumstances of the family.

“The district council’s duty is currently limited to providing advice and guidance to the family.

“Unless the family elects to leave the land voluntarily then any eviction proceedings will rely entirely on the court to approve such action.

“The district council will continue to work with the county council on a multi-agency basis to resolve the matter whenever requested.”