Car park embankment planned to stop illegal camping

Chichester District Council has approved plans to install earth bunds around Marine Drive car park to stop groups of Gypsies and travellers from camping on the site

Earth embankments are due to be installed around a West Sussex car park to stop groups of Gypsies and travellers from camping on the site.

The decision to spend £15,000 on bunds for the perimeter of the Marine Drive car park in West Wittering was approved at a Chichester District Council meeting on Tuesday.

A report seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the council had taken "an active role" in finding authorised locations for the communities to pitch up.

However, it added, in spite of this "several unauthorised encampments occur each year in council car parks".

John Cross, cabinet member for culture, sport and place, said while the bunds were not necessarily "aesthetically pleasing", they had acted as a deterrent elsewhere.

He added the bunds would "not necessarily stop unauthorised encampments" as access to the tarmac area would remain unrestricted.

The council said while there were height barriers and low fencing already in place at Marine Drive, residents had asked for bunds to be installed instead.

A council officer said boxes would be fitted around the locks on the height barriers to prevent tampering.

Bill Brisbane, cabinet member for planning, said since the installation of bunds at New Park Road in July 2021 there had been no incursions on the site.