Travellers set up campsite with caravans in council HQ’s car park

Dozens of travellers have taken over a council HQ’s car park despite councillors investing more than £70,000 to prevent illegal sites. 

Nearly 20 motorhomes rocked up to Teignbridge District Council’s office building on Saturday, forcing staff to advise visitors to ‘walk or cycle’ there ‘where possible’. 

Aerial photos showed at least 19 caravans at the site, infuriating people living nearby.

Teignbridge District Council issued a statement via social media saying the ‘unauthorised encampment’ has led to ‘limited’ parking availability. 

A spokesperson said: ‘Due to an unauthorised encampment of caravans and other vehicles in Forde House car park, which arrived on Saturday, parking at the site will be severely limited this week.

‘Our reception will be open as usual for anyone who has an appointment with one of our services. 

‘We would advise anyone attending to travel by public transport, walk or cycle where possible, or to park at one of our car parks in the town and walk to Forde House. 

‘Limited parking will be available for those with mobility issues.

‘We will keep residents updated as the situation changes.’

Road signs appearing to block the entrance to the car park have been pictured at the site displaying the message: ‘Main car park closed. Please used walled car park.’ 

Behind one of the signs was a council van parked in the entrance to prevent visitors driving into the makeshift traveller camp. 

The incident has left locals raging, as one said: ‘Lets see how the council like it and also how quickly they’ll get them moved compared to every other place they go!’ 

Another said: ‘Why hasn’t the council put forward a review to change the law, so they can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

‘Why should they get away with not having to pay all the expenses that we have to in our homes!

‘They should be sorting out the homeless somewhere to live.

‘Not travellers that could pay to stay on a camp site within the area like everyone else has too!’

A third said: ‘Now you can see what it’s like to have it on your door step. I bet you move faster now!’ 

Meanwhile a fourth warned that other towns across Devonshire could be ‘invaded’ by travellers. 

Teignbridge District Council’s website states: ‘An unauthorised encampment refers to caravans and/or other vehicles on land without the landowner or occupier’s consent and is therefore trespass.’

However ‘an unauthorised encampment is not a criminal offence’, the local authority’s website adds, ‘and there is a statutory duty for us to act’. 

‘We have no powers to intervene if the encampment is on private land.’

The council said it will work to remove unauthorised encampments in Teignbridge and to ‘treat all those involved with dignity and respect’.

‘We also expect this in return and will not tolerate violent, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour towards our staff.’

But the council can only take action if an encampment is on its land.  

‘We have no legal powers over privately owned land,’ it added.

Around 5,000 travellers live in Devon, with the majority in Teignbridge being mainly English Romany Gypsies and New Travellers. A small number are local Irish Travellers.

In July last year Teignbridge councillors voted to spend more than £70,000 on tackling unauthorised encampments across the area – including at Forde Park, next to the authority’s HQ building. 

At the time the council said the move formed part of a ‘series of target hardening measures’ such as the installation of bollards, fencing, bunding and other physical barriers to prevent vehicle access to ‘vulnerable’ sites. 

Teignbridge District Council leader Richard Keeling said last July: ‘By investing in preventative measures and working with partners to explore longer-term solutions, we’re aiming to reduce disruption for residents and ensure a fair and lawful process for all.’

The Daily Mail has approached Teignbridge District Council for comment.