Residents have contacted both myself and local councillors about this issue and they are quite rightly very distressed by this ongoing and extremely frustrating problem. I am extremely sympathetic to the many concerns that have been raised and it is something that needs tackling head on.
The setting up of illegal traveller sites is a nuisance for local communities and it is vital that communities see that the law applies to everyone. Under planning policy any application for a permanent site, including a caravan site, by someone who does not travel is treated in exactly the same way as an application from the settled population. Planning policy also gives strong protections for the Green Belt from caravan sites and local authorities are not required to provide land for people evicted from large-scale unauthorised encampments. Furthermore, the Criminal Justice Act 1994 allows councils to give a direction to leave land and it is an offence to fail to comply with such a direction and the police have powers to enforce this.
In Walsall North, I am aware that the illegal camp at King George V playing fields was particularly disruptive and the mess that had been left behind is still being cleared away. This inconsiderate behaviour towards local residents is completely unacceptable. While I recognise the feeling of frustration that the law seems to be on the side of those that are building illegal camps, I must stress that the local police force are doing what they can and that local councillors are petitioning to secure King George V park’s entrances and introduce an injunction to prevent this from happening again.
Finally I want to reassure residents that I am working diligently with both Walsall Council and the local police to ensure that all powers available are being used to their fullest extent to prevent this anti-social issue recurring and stop the destruction of our beauty spots in Walsall North.