Downs van dwellers to be moved from next week

There are around 60 lived-in vehicles parked around the Downs

People living in vehicles around a Bristol beauty spot will begin to be moved on within the week, the city council says.

The issue of van dwellers on the Clifton Downs has become increasingly controversial, and they have been accused of causing a public nuisance through fly-tipping, poor parking and noise.

Last week, Bristol City Council said it needed to take action after makeshift toilets were found in some of the wooded areas around the Downs.

It said on Thursday it would begin the process of moving vehicle dwellers to new sites from 1 December, and that it would seek a court order against those who refuse to comply.

There are an estimated 700 vehicles being lived in across Bristol, with about 60 of those parked up around the Downs.

After the discovery of the makeshift toilets, the Downs vehicle dwellers were deemed to be having a "high impact" on the green space.

It is a longstanding council policy that once an encampment is judged that way, it will try and disperse those living there.

In an update, the council said: "With the group of lived in vehicles now being designated high impact, the council will begin the process of moving the group on in the week beginning 1 December by engaging with the vehicle dwellers and conducting welfare assessments."

Van dwellers have been accused of fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour

It said it would apply for a court order under Section 77 and Section 78 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 against those who refuse to leave.

The council said it would increase the level of support offered to vehicle dwellers in an attempt to help them find permanent accommodation.

Two outreach workers, a social worker and a small nursing team will liaise with the council about individual cases.

Enhanced outreach work is expected to begin in December, the council said.

Van dwellers could be moved to "meanwhile" sites

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said it wants to "significantly reduce the number of people living in vehicles on highways and council-owned land in Bristol without consent".

A key part of its approach is to move the vehicles dwellers to "meanwhile sites" - often land that is due to be developed but where work has yet to start.

The council is aiming to create 250 spaces on meanwhile sites across the city.

While they provide basic sanitation facilities, users are required to pay a fee.