Councillor rejects van dweller 'conspiracy theory'

A large number of vans and caravans moved on to the site in January

Claims that van dwellers were secretly given permission to live on council-owned land have been decried as "conspiracy theory" by one councillor.

Residents living on Lanercost Road, Southmead, have accused Bristol City Council of inaction over a group of people living on a disused plot of land owned by the authority since January.

It has been claimed by those living on the site itself - as well as their neighbours in nearby homes - that the council may have discreetly allowed use of the site.

But councillor Barry Parsons, who chairs the authority's housing committee, described the claims as "a conspiracy theory" and said the council was going through a legal process to evict the group.

Resident Ronda Golding described the situation as 'horrendous'

Resident Ronda Golding said neighbours to the patch of land had been forced to put up with "a lot of issues with them [van dwellers] banging at all hours of the night", "revving their engines" and even ordering food deliveries to houses along the road in the early hours of the morning.

"It's just horrendous," Ms Golding continued, adding: "They [Bristol City Council] wouldn't want that on College Green, they'd go 'oh no we have to move that'.

"But they would put it next door to a vulnerable adults' centre with dogs running around and foul language. The neighbours are furious."

She also accused the local authority of "not doing anything", adding that she had sent officers "email after email" and had been told by the people living on the site that the council had "moved them here".

The BBC also spoke to people living on the site, who asked to remain anonymous.

They told us they had previously been squatting in their vehicles, but had been told to come to the site by the city council under what they described as a "tolerated site" approach.

Van dwellers and nearby residents have claimed the council permitted use of the site

Speaking to Radio Bristol on Monday morning, Mr Parsons said understood "how frustrating" the situation was for residents.

"It can seem like nothing's happening at all - I really want to reassure people that's not true," he added, explaining that the council was going through a legal process to move people on and had earmarked the site as a candidate for permanent affordable housing in the future.

Asked about when residents might see the vans and caravans moved on, Mr Parsons said he didn't "think it would be fair" to give a timeline as he didn't "want to misinform people", but said the council was working "as quickly as we can".

As for seeking a more permanent solution to address the concerns around more than 600 lived-in vehicles across the city, Mr Parson said the council was working on providing 250 pitches on "meanwhile sites" - council-managed sites where van dwellers can access water and waste facilities for a small fee.

The council recently wrote to the government asking for expanded legal powers and more funding to tackle the sharp increase in van dwelling in the city and the underlying housing crisis.

A consultation on the council's approach to the issue, including the use of meanwhile sites, is due to open on 11 September.