Van dwellers at Bristol beauty spot told to leave in next two weeks

Caravans and vehicles parked in a popular park in Bristol have been ordered to leave by Bristol City Council. The local authority shared the letters on several parked vehicles on Parry’s Lane in Durdham Down on June 12.

It is the latest chapter in a saga between residents in Clifton Down and Durdham Down and vehicle dwellers over the right to park permanently at the beauty spot. Neighbours are demanding a ban on those who lead the alternative lifestyle – either out of choice or because of the housing crisis – from camping overnight on the roadside, making the area a “no-go zone” and using it as a “latrine”.

The notice states: "Bristol City Council, whilst having permitted the encampment to date, does not give permission for the public highway to be used in this way and I must therefore ask you to vacate the highway.

READ MORE - 'Incredibly dangerous' drunk driver caught speeding on M4

READ MORE - Officers accused of 'worst misconduct' can't be named

"Failure to do so may result in Bristol City Council taking legal proceedings to remove you and the vehicle from the highway. Any caravans or vehicles that appear to be abandoned will also be removed."

Bristol City Council has said the letter is an "informal request" and allows the vehicle dwellers a chance to speak to the local authority about the concerns raised by council figures and residents. The Neighbourhood Enforcement Team will return again on June 26.

An estimated 800 people are living inside between 600 and 650 vehicles in the city. The caravans and alternative lifestyles are due to the growing housing crisis as dwellers want to minimise their running costs.

Van dwellers previously said they want to be left alone and insist that, far from the troublemakers they are portrayed to be, they are actually active members of the community who tidy up litter and mess left by others on the fields and have even stopped crime. Residents claim that there have been various issues with the van dwellers, including litter, waste building up and urination.

The served letters come as security patrols could be introduced to prevent the parkland from becoming “overwhelmed by lawlessness”. The land is subject to a series of old byelaws, which in theory ban people from a range of activities but these are rarely enforced.

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: "On June 12, the council’s Neighbourhood Enforcement Team visited the encampment on Parry’s Lane and Saville Road to conduct a welfare check and assessment following complaints received from residents and councillors.

"During this visit, a letter was issued to occupants requesting they vacate the land in the next 14 days. This letter is an informal request and offers the vehicle dwellers the opportunity to open a dialogue about the concerns we have raised.

"The Neighbourhood Enforcement Team remains in conversation with the occupants of the Parry’s Lane encampment and will revisit the area on June 26 to assess if further action, as a result of any vehicles remaining on site, is necessary."