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| Illegal traveller sites: 'Decisive action' demanded | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Councils should be quicker to clamp down on unauthorised encampments and traveller sites, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has said. | Councils should be quicker to clamp down on unauthorised encampments and traveller sites, Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has said. |
| Mr Pickles has issued new guidelines reminding local authorities in England of their legal powers to deal promptly with illegal traveller sites. | Mr Pickles has issued new guidelines reminding local authorities in England of their legal powers to deal promptly with illegal traveller sites. |
| He said that too often officials claim "nothing can be done". | |
| The Local Government Association said councils were prepared to take "swift and robust action" in such situations. | The Local Government Association said councils were prepared to take "swift and robust action" in such situations. |
| Mr Pickles said his move would give a stronger voice to local residents and councillors to challenge officials. | Mr Pickles said his move would give a stronger voice to local residents and councillors to challenge officials. |
| But the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain has previously called for greater provision of legal sites. | |
| Clear-up operation | Clear-up operation |
| Mr Pickles added that the recently scrapped Equality and Diversity in Planning guidance discouraged councils from taking enforcement action. | |
| The guidance for local councils and landowners covers unauthorised traveller sites, protest camps and squatters on both public and private land. | The guidance for local councils and landowners covers unauthorised traveller sites, protest camps and squatters on both public and private land. |
| It also deals with the problem of the clear-up operation on such sites. | It also deals with the problem of the clear-up operation on such sites. |
| Mr Pickles said: "I want all councils to be ready to take action straightaway to stop illegal camps and unauthorised sites starting in the first place. Decisive action early on saves money and unnecessary upset for local residents. | Mr Pickles said: "I want all councils to be ready to take action straightaway to stop illegal camps and unauthorised sites starting in the first place. Decisive action early on saves money and unnecessary upset for local residents. |
| "We've strengthened councils' powers so they have the confidence to take decisive action. Too often council officers wash their hands and say nothing can be done. This is not the case. | "We've strengthened councils' powers so they have the confidence to take decisive action. Too often council officers wash their hands and say nothing can be done. This is not the case. |
| "The public want to see fair play with planning rules enforced consistently rather than special treatment being given to certain groups." | "The public want to see fair play with planning rules enforced consistently rather than special treatment being given to certain groups." |
| Councils needed the political will to uphold the law, Mr Pickles added. | Councils needed the political will to uphold the law, Mr Pickles added. |
| Powers available to local authorities include temporary notices to remove unauthorised caravans, pre-emptive injunctions that protect vulnerable land in advance, and possession orders to remove trespassers from land. | Powers available to local authorities include temporary notices to remove unauthorised caravans, pre-emptive injunctions that protect vulnerable land in advance, and possession orders to remove trespassers from land. |
| 'Breaks rules' | 'Breaks rules' |
| A Local Government Association spokesman said: "Councils across the country are providing authorised, legitimate sites and services for travelling communities. | A Local Government Association spokesman said: "Councils across the country are providing authorised, legitimate sites and services for travelling communities. |
| "People who live nearby need to be given a say on whether land is appropriate for travellers and that is precisely what the planning process is there to do. | "People who live nearby need to be given a say on whether land is appropriate for travellers and that is precisely what the planning process is there to do. |
| "Local authorities take swift and robust action against anyone who breaks the rules by setting up camp on land without permission." | "Local authorities take swift and robust action against anyone who breaks the rules by setting up camp on land without permission." |
| One of the biggest evictions in recent years was in 2011 at Dale Farm in Essex after a hard-fought battle through the courts. | One of the biggest evictions in recent years was in 2011 at Dale Farm in Essex after a hard-fought battle through the courts. |
| Police and bailiffs moved in following a 10-year dispute between travellers and Basildon Council in green belt land. | Police and bailiffs moved in following a 10-year dispute between travellers and Basildon Council in green belt land. |
| About 85 families lived on 51 illegal plots which did not have planning permission, covering half of the traveller site. | About 85 families lived on 51 illegal plots which did not have planning permission, covering half of the traveller site. |