2,000kg of waste cleared after travellers left North East Lincs sites in the last year
North East Lincolnshire continues to have low numbers of unauthorised traveller encampments, a council report says. But there has been over 2,000kg fly-tipped in the last year, linked to some of the encampments.
The council's transport, infrastructure and strategic housing scrutiny panel have been provided with an update on traveller and gypsy activity in the local authority. In the past year, there have only been five unauthorised encampments.
Some have been more problematic than others. Last month, 150kg was fly tipped after an a group pitched up at Cleethorpes Boating Lake, and 1,200kg was fly tipped at Weelsby Woods in July.
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With demand continuing to be low, the council will stick to its policy of having no designated public transit site. It has since 2022, adopted a negotiated stopping agreement (NSA) policy, where a council and travellers agree to limited terms of use at certain sites.
The five traveller unauthorised encampments to North East Lincolnshire since September 2023 comprise:
September 2023 - Neville Turner Way, Waltham; former Scartho Baths site.
July 2024 - Weelsby Woods; Fisherman's Wharf, Grimsby.
August 2024 - Cleethorpes Boating Lake.
The visits this time last year involved the same group. The council report states they refused to engage and "were abusive to staff". A notice was issued against them at both sites, and they spent a combined total of seven days in the area. 850kg of rubbish was fly tipped afterwards.
Weelsby Woods saw 14 caravans set up camp. Because of the site and size of encampment, an eviction order was issued, though it took time to obtain because of limited court days. The group left the day after the order, having stayed for 11 days. Five bins were provided to them and 1,200kg of fly tipping was cleared afterwards.
The Fisherman's Wharf instance was only one caravan, and they moved on before any action was taken. At Cleethorpes Boating Lake, travellers stayed for three nights over a weekend and were given a direction notice to leave. They were provided with two bins and left 150kg fly tipping.
The NSA approach the council has was piloted by Leeds City Council. North East Lincolnshire's NSA does not allow for a return visit within 12 months. It requires 24 hours notice of planned departure from a site, and contains council agreement to help with any medical, housing or school needs during travellers' stay.
The Boating Lake and Weelsby Woods are not among the sites where the limited stays may occur.