Great Yarmouth campervan residents stay put despite eviction deadline

John Smith's campervan has been parked at the same spot since March 2023

An eviction deadline served on people living in caravans and campervans on a Norfolk seafront has passed.

The men were served papers in December giving them until 10:00 GMT on Friday to vacate the site on South Beach Parade in Great Yarmouth.

Two residents told the BBC they had accepted hostel accommodation, but three others remained.

Norfolk County Council, which served the eviction notices, urged the men to comply.

John Smith, 62, who said he has lived at the site since March 2023, said: "I haven't seen anybody this morning but I'm going to stay here.

"We will stay until we are forced to go when they come with the police and force us off."

Mr Smith has preserved his eviction notice from the county council, explaining he must vacate the site by 10:00 on Friday

In the next unit, Ash Lee, 62, said he was visited by a council officer on Thursday afternoon.

"He told us that they would do a drive by at 10 o'clock and if we were still there they would seek a court order," he said.

"But they're not offering us anywhere to move to and they're saying now that even when we move they're going to come and move us again from our new spot.

"We will wait to see what they come back with. Obviously they're going to go to the magistrates' court and we will stay here until such times as the bailiffs turn up and obviously then we will have to move."

Norfolk Magistrates' Court said no relevant hearing was listed.

A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said: "Local authorities are in contact with the individuals who have been living in unauthorised encampments in Great Yarmouth and urge all occupants to comply with the notices issued.

"Where a notice has not been complied with, all appropriate legal steps will be undertaken to continue the eviction process."