'Unauthorised' Traveller camp in Tilsworth field under review by council's legal team
A group of travellers have turned a Bedfordshire field into a permanent camp in a matter of hours, with their unauthorised actions "being reviewed by the local authority's legal department".
A nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that “scores” of people descended on the Bedford Road site on the outskirts of Tilsworth “with diggers, dumper trucks and enough hardcore to cover an entire field”.
Describing it as “a well planned operation”, the resident said the Travellers arrived on Friday evening (June 12) after the council offices closed for the weekend.
“At least four static caravans and several more mobile caravans have moved in so far. We already have a smelly sewage and drainage problem from a nearby camp, which houses a very large community.
“The road is flooded and the smell of sewage is intense after heavy rainfall, as has been the case for the last 18 months at least.
She alleged: “They’ve clearly violated planning and greenbelt laws this weekend, having stripped back hedges and trees, while destroying wildlife and vegetation in breeding season.
“We’re expected to get planning permission for the slightest addition to our properties. This problem is intimidating and causing a great deal of distress to an otherwise quiet Bedfordshire hamlet.”
A Central Bedfordshire Council spokesman said in a statement: “Council officers have assessed the situation and visited the site as soon as was possible to establish the facts and the nature and extent of the works taking place. Evidence was collected during this visit and provided to our legal services team for review.
"Based on the evidence gathered, enforcement documents have been drafted with a view to serving these later today.
"A retrospective planning application has been submitted via the Planning Portal on 12 June, but it was not received by the council until June 15 and has not yet been validated.
“We are treating this as a matter of urgency and will take appropriate action where we have the legal basis and evidence to do so."
Central Bedfordshire has almost 50 permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites, which is one of the highest concentrations of these locations in England, explained the local authority’s website.
“We own and manage four sites, which are Chiltern View in Eaton Bray, Timberlands in Pepperstock, Common Road in Potton and Woodlands near Biggleswade.
“There are 45 privately-owned locations, eight of which are travelling showpeople bases. These sites are often family-run and a part of the community in which they’re situated.”