Elton, Derbyshire

Please see message below from District Councillor, Colin Swindell

If you were not already aware, this afternoon a group of travellers have parked-up on the campsite opposite to the Square and Compass pub. A further group have parked up at DFS, Darley Dale.

I wanted to get in touch to update you on the current situation and ask you to make sure that any land you or somebody you know owns is secure and protected.

Earlier today, Wednesday 17 June 2020, a group of travellers were evicted from the Bakewell Show Ground. Derbyshire Dales District Council – who own the land – obtained a court order to have the travellers evicted. The travellers were removed from the site by bailiffs and assistance from the police.

Evicting travellers from a site does not remove the problem – it simply moves it. Once moved on, the travellers dispersed from the site with some setting-up camp on the Square and Compass campsite and others at the DFS carpark. These travellers are unknown to the Council and have no responsibility for. One other family, whom the Council owes a homelessness duty, has been moved to a temporary site in Rowsley.

I have been contacted by a lot of residents today asking what is being done to move the travellers on from these illegal encampments. The sites on which travellers are currently parked are privately owned. In the case of the Square and Compass, it would be the responsibility of the landlords or the brewery to start court proceedings to have them removed. The District Council will always monitor the situation and advise where they can.

This afternoon I have been in regular contact with Council officers and others to keep an eye on the situation and how things have developed. In my most recent update from the Head of Environmental Services, I am led to believe that this evening the police have attended the Square and Compass site following reports of confrontational behaviour. I have been informed that the police are now using their S61 powers to move the travellers on from the Square and Compass site and their intention is to escort them out of the district. I do not have a timescale for this happening, but it should be soon.

There is clearly a concern that the travellers will look for a new site to set-up camp straightaway. This could be in the immediate locality or further afield. I am, therefore, asking residents in my ward, who own large pieces of land accessible from the roadside, to ensure that they are locked, barricaded or blocked to prevent entry. Please help to make others aware by sharing this email. This will prevent damage to your property and lengthy and costly court proceedings to have travellers evicted.

I have been in touch this afternoon with Parish Councillors and Sports Field Trustees to ensure that they too are aware of the situation and can take any necessary precautions to prevent illegal encampments.

Derbyshire Dales District Council continues to search for a permanent traveller site and it remains one of their number on priorities. This issue has been ongoing for several years and the problem of illegal encampments will not go away until a suitable site can be found. I will continue to do what I can in the Council Chamber to make sure that this happens at the earliest opportunity.

I have tried to be as brief as I can in this update. If, however, you have questions or comments please get in touch.

Best wishes

Colin Swindell
District Councillor