1st Class Bailiffs Articles

An attractive and peaceful small town in Gloucestershire was given a shock during the bank holiday weekend when an illegal travelling encampment was set up in a beautiful meadow.

This invasion occurred in Newent, the smallest of the four towns in the Forest of Dean District and which has been known for many years as the capital of the Ryelands.
The travellers arrived late on Friday, once the local council offices had shut for the weekend. Within no time, the camp was set up, complete with sewerage, toilet facilities and electricity.

Once the land was occupied, it was soon built upon and with it being the bank holiday, this made it extremely difficult for locals to make any objections to this invasion and contact any enforcement agencies dealing with traveller evictions.

The local townspeople were helpless to do anything as the hired lorries moved in and digging equipment was used to help construct the more-permanent encampment. The land was fenced off and 12 caravans were pitched in farmland just outside the town. The travellers moved onto the land they do not have planning permission for, just opposite three large houses.

Local councillor Len Lawton commented on the situation:

“Villagers were told the field’s owners only wanted to build temporary accommodation for horses. When the owners started making small engineering changes earlier this year, such as laying pipes, the council reminded them that major building work required planning permission.

“The owners were asked to respond but never did. I have nothing against the travellers’ lifestyle. My concern is that the legal system seems unfairly weighted against local people.”