Travellers try to enter Barnstaple car park - Devon

From the North Devon Journal

TRAVELLERS attempted to enter a Barnstaple car park over the weekend.

Some 20 to 30 caravans tried to gain access to the Focus car park next to County Garage in Hollowtree Road on Sunday.

Police were called to the site who moved the Travellers on to Seven Brethren.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “They initially turned up at Focus then went down to the Seven Brethren site. No damage was recorded on the land. We received a call from a member of the public saying people were trying to gain access to Focus.”

Diana Hill, Head of Property and Technical Services at North Devon Council said: "North Devon Council was told by police on Sunday afternoon that up to 45 caravans were en route to the area.

"When asked where they could go, we informed them that we couldn't accommodate that number of caravans, as our toleration policy allows for a maximum of six caravans.

"The Travellers moved onto the council land at Seven Brethren with 27 caravans and other vehicles. A number of these have now left, with 14 caravans remaining this morning.

"We have informed the Travellers that, in accordance with our policy, we aren't prepared to tolerate them on council land. As a result, we are now going down the legal process to obtain possession.

"In the meantime, the site is being continuously monitored."