Travellers are 'abusing health and safety rules'

That is the view of South Ham councillor Seàn Keating after a group of 18 caravans set up camp without permission in a park in his ward.

He said the travellers, who moved into Stratton Park in Kempshott last Wednesday, had travelled from Popley after being asked to leave by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Cllr Keating said: “I have no problem that travellers have rights and need to be treated properly.

“But it’s a nonsense that if they are evicted from Popley, they can travel three miles up the road to Kempshott and the process starts all over again. Each time health and safety checks need to be taken. But if they’re the same lot from up the road, why is it necessary?

“Last Thursday, I had to take my granddaughter off the path at the park because one of their vehicles was coming towards us along it.

“If it was anybody else, they would be arrested. They need a proper camp where they can set up instead of invading our parks.”

The borough council gave the travellers until yesterday to leave Stratton Park, or face legal action. So far this year, there have been 40 |unauthorised caravan encampments in Basingstoke, almost double the 22 during the whole of last year.

Elsewhere in the borough this week, there have been unauthorised encampments in Jays Close and Priestley Road.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s corporate director Karen Brimacombe said: “There is a potential in the future that the council may have to make provision for sites for gypsies and travellers.” But she said the legal position has yet to be determined.

Next February, an independent planning inspector is due to examine a consultation on proposals for 11 new permanent pitches for “gypsies” and 17 for “travelling showpeople” in the borough by 2016.