'There's nowhere for us to go,' say van dwellers

Jack Knight has lived in a caravan for eight months after struggling with rent

People living in vans and caravans alongside a public green space said they have nowhere to go despite council plans to move them on.

Bristol City Council has begun leafleting van dwellers on the Downs, formally asking them to leave the area.

However, the people living in vehicles say there is nowhere else to go except for other parks around the city.

Jack Knight, who lives in a caravan on the Downs, said: "It's a symptom of a much larger issue. There are people here who are quite vulnerable and moving them on isn't going to fix the issues they experience."

Van dwellers could be moved to alternative sites, the council says

The city council said it had to take action after some of the wooded areas around the Downs were found to be being used as makeshift toilets.

Local residents have also reported fly-tipping, poor parking and noise.

Jack Knight has lived in his caravan for about eight months, after quitting his job in January and having to leave his rented accommodation.

"I was frustrated with renting, it's very expensive. It's difficult," he said.

"Living here has been really good, there's a nice community down here and it's quite simple."

Dave Knight has lived in vans for five years and is worried about what will happen next

Dave Knight, Jack's dad, has lived in vans for five years.

He said he was surprised to learn that some people have been using the Downs "as a toilet".

"It's totally unacceptable and I understand why the council want to move those people on," Mr Knight said.

"But, to move everybody on because of one or two people - if you had one or two people being anti-social on a street you wouldn't move everyone out on that street, you'd find out who it was and rectify that."

He said moving the van dwellers will only move the problem elsewhere, for example into residential areas.

Jack added: "There's not really anywhere for me to go."

Councillor Barry Parsons said they hope to increase spaces on "meanwhile" sites

Bristol City Council operates so-called "meanwhile" sites, where van dwellers can stay and have running water and rubbish collection.

However, those sites currently have 65 pitches, of which 61 are occupied.

The four vacancies are currently in the process of being filled and there is a waiting list.

The council added it will open two new sites "soon" and four more will be entering the planning process.

Bristol City councillor Barry Parsons said the timing for moving the van dwellers on "isn't great" but the council has to do it due to the public health risk.

He added it hopes to increase alternative sites in the coming months to 250 pitches.