Unauthorised traveller encampments in England

Unauthorised Gypsy and traveller encampments have become a growing issue across England, driven by a rising population and a lack of legal pitches. Data indicates that by January, the number of unauthorised caravans reached 4,950, a 73% increase from January 2020, with notable developments in regions such as Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire.

Local authorities in areas like Birmingham and Middlesbrough have responded to specific encampments by initiating legal action and seeking court orders to recover land. While the government maintains that unauthorised development is ‘totally unacceptable’, advocates argue that the current planning system fails to meet community needs. Cliff Codona, chair of the National Travellers' Action Group, stated that the planning system leaves many with no option but to ‘break the law’.

Local councils face a complex enforcement dilemma, as they must balance the use of injunctions to remove unauthorised residents with their duty to ensure an adequate supply of suitable, permitted sites.