Court action to evict Travellers from recreation ground - Surrey

From the Surrey Mirror

THERE are fears a village recreation ground could be out of use for months after it was taken over by almost 20 Travellers' caravans.

The Travellers arrived at Hooley Recreation Ground in Brighton Road on Wednesday evening last week. Reigate and Banstead Borough Council served them with a "Notice to Quit" order on Thursday which required them to leave by 9am on Monday.

However, they remained, and the council is now pursuing court action to get them evicted.

Last time Travellers moved on to the recreation ground 18 years ago, it was out of use for 18 months, said chairman of the Hooley Residents' Association Danny Daniels, who is angry the council have not been firmer.

"They should not be there," he told the Mirror.

"Why give them any time? The council should have got them out straight away.

"The last time this happened, 18 years ago, Travellers were there for six to eight weeks. It cost thousands of pounds to clear up the recreation ground and we weren't allowed to use it for 18 months.

"I walk my dog down there, there is a fitness club that use it, we have got a basketball court down there, and nobody can use it."

Borough councillor for Chipstead, Hooley and Woodmansterne Keith Foreman said: "There is concern among residents in Hooley, and in Netherne too, about where they may go when they are moved on. At the end of the day, they are occupying it illegally. They have been asked to quit and they haven't and naturally that is a concern to the local residents.

"We have got all this beautiful space the residents of Hooley would love to use, especially in this weather, and they can't. It is a shame."

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council's parks and countryside manager Robin Davies said: "The council served a Notice to Quit on the 18 caravans occupying Hooley Recreation Ground on Thursday, July 4. As the occupiers have failed to leave the site, the council has lodged a claim for repossession with Croydon County Court. A hearing date will now be set by the courts."