Gypsy Traveller encampments set up on private land - Dunbartonshire

From the Lennox Herald

Illegal camps on private land could rise as council chiefs take a tough stance on Travellers setting up temporary homes on their land.

West Dunbartonshire Council has this week confirmed it will continue to take swift action against those parking up mobile homes on local authority plots.

But there are fears this could push the Travellers, who set up camp at the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate earlier this month, into other areas.

A member of the public who spotted the camp at the site just north of Dumbarton was appalled to see the mess which was left behind once the Travellers moved on.

He said: “They have dumped stuff in the road and there’s litter lying everywhere. They have even been defecating on the steps. It’s absolutely disgusting.”

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokeswoman confirmed the local authority had no power over the camp at the industrial estate. She said: “West Dunbartonshire Council does not own the land so has no direct responsibility for bringing the encampment to an end or for clearing up afterwards.

“However, the council takes prompt legal action to end illegal encampments on its own land which may explain an apparent increase in illegal camps on sites not owned by the council.

“The council’s first response is to establish who owns the land on which an illegal camp is set up.

“Where it is on council-owned land, we are responsible for dealing with the eviction and managing the camp during the eviction process. The council gives bin bags to occupants and clears the site after they’ve moved on.”

We reported last summer consideration was being given by the council to look at ways of preventing Travellers setting up temporary homes in the area including at Havoc, but the spokeswoman confirmed there had been no change to its policy since then.