Review to tackle illegal Gypsy and traveller sites

Government review to tackle illegal Gypsy and traveller sites

Having met recently with Rochdale Borough Council to raise issues on travellers, Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd took part in the debate in Parliament and and raised a number of points.

He said: "We need to strike the right balance as Rochdale sometimes has problems with travellers."

Communities Minister Alok Sharma subsequently announced a government consultation to review the effectiveness of current enforcement against unauthorised developments and encampments.

Christopher Price, CLA Director of Policy and Advice, said: “Travellers who occupy land illegally should not be given significant protections which prevent their lawful removal.

"Existing powers of enforcement could be used much more effectively on private land if the local authority, police and other relevant agencies had a more co-ordinated approach and used their joint resources at an earlier stage in the development of an illegal camp.

"To really tackle illegal sites, the Government must ensure there is suitable provision of lawful camps to avoid the issues that arise from unauthorised encampments.

“We will respond to the consultation making clear the impact that illegal encampments have on private land.”