UK councils evict vanlifers from Newquay car park and Caldicot Castle

Cornwall Council served eviction notices to 31 vans parked at Towan Headland car park in Newquay, ordering residents to leave by 4 p.m. on 17 July and warning of possible court action if they remain. Council officers said the encampment attracted complaints about antisocial behaviour and that some vehicles had covered number plates, preventing parking penalties. A spokesperson noted that officers faced verbal abuse while posting the notices.

Monmouthshire County Council similarly ordered travellers to vacate the grounds of Caldicot Castle and nearby playing fields after they set up an unauthorised camp ahead of the "Dubs at the Castle" VW camper‑van festival. The encampment had forced a local school to cancel its sports day and caused a Newport football club to close its site. The festival is proceeding as planned from 16 July, while the council estimates clean‑up and repair costs for the affected sites.