Council denied injunction to prohibit van dwellers
BBCA council has not secured an extension of an injunction to prevent van dwellers from staying on roads around a green space in Bristol.
Since July, an injunction has prohibited van dwellers from living on the grassed areas of Clifton Down, Durham Down and Ladies Mile. However, it does not cover the surrounding roads.
There are believed to be more than 600 van dwellers in the city, with allegations of litter, public defecation and anti-social behaviour causing tension between them and residents.
At Bristol County Court earlier, Bristol City Council was told to apply to the High Court for changes to its injunction and was granted a possession order which will allow it to evict van dwellers.
The council said it had sought an extension of the injunction in "the interest of citizens" and for "protection of the rights of others".
District Judge Napier told the council the possession order will allow its officers to evict van dwellers and can be enforced in 21 days.
The order can be used on the main roads around the Downs, including Parrys Lane, Roman Road, Stoke Road, Westbury Park Road, Saville Road, Clay Pitt Road, Rockleaze, Downleaze, Wills Lane and Circular Road.
In December, the council formally asked van dwellers to leave the Downs area.
However, people living in their vehicles said there was nowhere else for them to go except for other parks around the city.
In response, the council offered limited temporary pitches on so-called meanwhile sites in a bid to provide a safer alternative to living kerbside.
Anybody living on a meanwhile site has to pay council tax, unless they qualify for an exemption.
The council originally said it aimed to offer 250 pitches on meanwhile sites by April, but it has so far provided 98.
The authority's planning committee is due to consider plans for a 60-pitch meanwhile site in Whitchurch, which will become the biggest site to date if approved.
Councillor Stephen Williams said anybody that refused to leave after being issued with the possession order would be dealt with by bailiffs.
In a statement, he said more than half of the van dwellers had moved on after the council began the enforcement process in December over "significant health and environmental issues".
"Over the last few months, our new outreach team has been out and about offering advice and support to people living in vehicles.
"They have been taking time to listen, understand any health and welfare needs and work with individuals to make plans to move away from living in a vehicle by the kerb."
Williams said the team had worked with almost 100 people and four had moved to a meanwhile site, four had moved in with friends or family, one had moved into the private rented sector, one had moved into social housing and five people who were identified as "priority need" had moved into emergency accommodation.
"We know that it takes time to meaningfully engage with people, and our team will continue to work with people living kerb side to help them find more sustainable and suitable long-term options," he added.
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