Travellers camped at Beacon Park face legal action - Devon

From the Plymouth Herald

TRAVELLERS who have pitched up illegally at a disused sports ground in Beacon Park may be facing legal action.

Five caravans and other vehicles set up camp at the old Civil Service Sports Club, off Recreation Road, at the beginning of the month.

But Redrow, which owns the land, is taking legal action to evict the trespassers.

Keith Annis, Redrow South West planning director, said: "Redrow instructed its Litigation Lawyer to seek court proceedings as soon as we knew the site had been occupied by Travellers.

"The proceedings have been served and a hearing has been listed for the August 16. We are awaiting a copy of the notice from the process server to confirm this date.

"At the hearing the judge may make an order for possession whereupon Redrow will get the process server to serve the order upon the Travellers.

"If they do not vacate the site on or before the date of possession, it will be necessary to instruct bailiffs to remove them.

"We are keeping residents informed of the progress where we can and have attended the site to make repairs to part of the fencing along Llantilio Drive."

Redrow said the gates had been closed and locked prior to the arrival of the Travellers. Beacon Park residents have complained to the council and police, saying dogs have been allowed to run wild from the site.

Plymouth City Council deals with around 25 illegal encampments every year, partly because there are no organised transit sites in Plymouth.

The only permanent Gypsy and Traveller camp in the city is at The Ride, next to Chelson Meadow.

In January The Herald reported that the Government had awarded the council £790,000 to build a Gypsy and Traveller camp at Broadley Park, near Belliver industrial estate.

At the time a council spokeswoman said residents and businesses would be consulted about the plans before any planning application was submitted.