Notice served on overfull mobile home park

Councillor Nick Botterill said departures would be staggered to help those with nowhere to go

Residents are being forced out of a mobile home park where there are more than double the number of caravans permitted.

Wiltshire Council issued an enforcement notice on the owner of Greenacres Mobile Park in Semington near Trowbridge.

The site has had up to 77 mobile homes but planning permission allows for only 28.

The council said it was "mindful" of those with nowhere to go and was staggering departures to give them more time. It expects the number of caravans to fall to 28 within 18 months.

Councillor Nick Botterill said that the enforcement notice, which will take effect on 2 April, was a last resort.

The council had investigated following complaints about the increase in homes.

Many of the extra caravans are allegedly being rented on the open market to people who aren't travellers.

Non-travellers are expected to leave within nine months, while other pitches will need to be cleared by 18 months.

Mr Botterill said council officers have been trying to work with the site owner to keep numbers to 28, but compliance did not happen.

The council said it would work with all involved and that it was "committed to tackling planning permission breaches".