New powers could see Travellers fined £20k

From Inside Housing

The Communities and Local Government department has released more details about the powers councils will have to stop Gypsy and Traveller sites being set up.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles announced his plans to give local authorities greater powers in his speech at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham on Monday.

He will give councils greater freedom to use temporary stop notices when a caravan is being used as a main residence, which could see Gypsies and Travellers incur unlimited fines.

There are currently restrictions on using notices when a caravan is a main residence and parks on land without planning permission. Councils either have to apply for a stop notice, that takes three days, or an enforcement notice that takes 28 days.

The temporary stop notice means councils can take immediate action against the occupiers of a caravan. The new powers will also enable them to fine people up to £20,000, which can be increased to an unlimited amount if a case is successfully taken to crown court.

The CLG statement said: ‘It is the government’s view that local councils are best placed to judge whether to use a temporary stop notice in relation to caravans, and should not be constrained by blanket rules.’ The department is now consulting on the proposals.

see also DCLG - Eric Pickles: Greater freedom for local councils to prevent unauthorised Traveller sites