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Van dwellers to be offered council pitches

Paul Barltrop & Richard Lawson
BBC News, Bristol
BBC A row of caravans and vans on the side of the road with a few cars in between, they are parked next to large grassy open spaces with large trees.BBC
Vehicles parked on roads next to The Downs would be among those offered sites to live on

People living in vans across Bristol will be offered council pitches from this autumn, according to the local authority.

The announcement comes after protesters campaigning against van dwellers on The Downs gathered outside Bristol City Council on Tuesday, following a petition calling for action with more than 6,000 signatures.

Estimates have put the number of vans being lived in across Bristol at about 650, with nearly all who live in them blaming the high cost of housing.

Councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the council's Homes and Housing Delivering Committee, said measures to mitigate the issue were due to be in place by the end of the year.

Parsons said: "We're looking to bring on 250 pitches on meanwhile sites for vehicle dwellers, where people can go that are away from the road where they can get clean water and basic waste facilities for a small fee".

Meanwhile sites are temporary areas on land due for development which can provide space and basic services including toilets for those living in vehicles.

Black bin bags sit atop a rickety wooden table outside a caravan parked by The Downs in Bristol, surrounded by cardboard boxes and other refuse. There are other cars and caravans parked in the background.
Some residents have raised concerns about an alleged increase of waste in the area

One van-dweller called Ash, who lives with his girlfriend close to the M32 motorway, said: "We're doing this because we don't have to pay up to £1,000 for a flat.

"And then obviously you've got expenses on top of that, which is like bills, electrics."

Protect The Downs, a community group which started the petition, said van dwelling was causing problems such as drug-taking, littering and human waste being dumped in bushes.

Its petition called on the council to enforce existing policies on van dwellers.

Group member Sally Booley said: "I'd like Bristol City Council to take their heads out of the sand and start enforcing the law.

"There is a law there that says you can't park for more than five hours. Why are they not enforcing that?"

The council said once established pitches had been set up, it would be easier to take action against illegally parked vans.

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