Neighbour raises flytipping and noise concerns over Kildean encampment

Neighbours living near a Traveller encampment at Kildean Wetlands have called for action after reports of flytipping, antisocial behaviour and noise from the site.

It is believed that the latest encampment has been in the area for around a week and a half after previously arriving at the site last year and remaining there for around three to four months before being moved on.

Among the issues outlined by locals are the dumping of illegal waste - including soiled toilet roll - as well as shouting, swearing and round-the-clock dog barking with the encampment based just 20-30 metres from some properties.

Residents claim they have reported the issues to both the council and police, but believe they have been met with inaction from the authorities.

One resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “The whole area is a wetland area, with frog ponds for people to visit but the area has now been scattered with human faeces and toilet roll.

“My neighbours and I have been in full dialogue with all of the councillors and authorities and while we have received some good responses from individual councillors keeping us abreast of things, there seems to be a real apathy to get something done.

“The issues are the flytipping, the generator noise, the dogs barking at all hours - we’ve had the enforcement officers down here before and given them the licence plates and information but nothing seems to have happened.

“I don’t know if the police have any powers, but there seems to be an apathy on their side of things as well so I don’t know if it’s a systemic thing at this stage.”

The resident has claimed that he has been forced to take time off work due to the stress and also has raised concerns over being watched while reporting activity from the site.

They added: “This situation is severely impacting my well-being and mental health.

“I am embarrassed to call my employer because I am not in the right frame of mind to work due to the intense anxiety I am experiencing.

“I do recognise the needs of an ethnic minority group there and I am just genuinely not trying to pick on people.

“You should be free to live your life, but don’t impact those of the people living around you, the situation is now that we can’t walk our dogs or take our children out there.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of an encampment in the area of Selbie Place in Stirling on Monday, 1 July. Officers attended and engaged with the group.

“Further enquiries are ongoing and officers are liaising with the local authority.”

A Stirling Council spokesperson added: “The council is undertaking the appropriate legal process to lawfully remove the encampment.

“A court order was obtained at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 26 June. However, additional persons and vehicles then arrived on site, and the council must obtain a further court order before all persons and vehicles can lawfully be removed.

“This process began yesterday (2 July).

“In the meantime our Traveller Liaison Officer has visited the site three times daily to engage with people there and the council arranged for refuse to be removed from the site on Monday.”