Van dweller claims he is symptom not the problem

Callum says he has everything he needs in his van

A van dweller who was "informally" asked to leave the site he is on has decided to stay.

Van dwellers on the Downs in Bristol were asked to leave by Wednesday in a letter posted by the Bristol City Council on windscreens.

The council said the letter was an "informal request and offers the vehicle dwellers the opportunity to open a dialogue about the concerns we have raised".

Callum said he will stay in his van and told the BBC: "I understand [the request] but the increase in van dwellers is in direct proportion to the cost of living crisis and unaffordable rent.

"We are the symptom of the problem, we are not the problem.

"If you want to stop people from living in vans then you need to sort out the cost of living crisis," he added.

"I was paying £900 a month in rent. I was working all the time to pay and I ended up getting burnout.

"I bought this van, I've got everything I need, I've got my kitchen, got a bathtub."

Signs were posted by the council on vehicles' windscreens

A woman who lives close to the site told the BBC that they are "not imposing in any way".

"As someone who lives around here, they are not creating a nuisance," she added. "They are just part of the quirk of the Downs. The Downs are here for everyone to use."

However, some residents had complained about waste left by people living in some of the vans.

"People who are not so responsible with their waste and litter are probably doing so because they have limited capacity," Callum said. "I am lucky enough to have a good system, I'm being responsible with my waste."

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “Officers continue to engage with van dwellers on Parry’s Lane and encourage them to comply with the request to vacate the land on Parry’s Lane and a small section of Saville Road.

"While some people have vacated the area, unfortunately some others remain on Parry’s Lane.

"We continue to monitor the situation and will consider further action if required to address the concerns we have raised with van occupants.”