Travellers arrive on Oak Tree Leisure Centre car park

MP Ben Bradley spotted the caravans on the car park today (December 6)
MP Ben Bradley spotted the caravans on the car park today (December 6)MP Ben Bradley spotted the caravans on the car park today (December 6)
MP Ben Bradley spotted the caravans on the car park today (December 6)

Mr Bradley reported the encampment to Mansfield District Council.

He said: “It's incredibly frustrating when travellers are able to illegally camp out on land like this and has a detrimental effect on communities and businesses.

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"I'm all for people being free to live their lives as they see fit, but not when it causes real harm to others."

"I've informed the council who assure me they will act. Meanwhile Government are consulting in the best way to strength trespass laws to help deal with these situations”

The leisure centre, on Jubilee Way South, is operated by Mansfield District Leisure Trust, which is managed by Mansfield District Council.

To evict the travellers, the council must first:

Show they are on land without consent.

Make enquiries regarding the general health, welfare and children’s education.

Ensure the Human Rights Act 1998 is fully complied with.

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Follow a set procedure in terms of providing ownership of land, details of the illegal encampment that will enable them to successfully obtain the necessary authority from the Court to order them to leave the site.

How long do they have before they are removed?

This will depend upon the circumstances of each individual case.

The council will need to take into account of the issues outlined above, as well as how soon they can obtain a court hearing date.Can the court refuse to grant the council an order to move them on?

Yes. If there is an unavoidable reason for them to stay on site or if the court believes that the council have failed to make adequate enquiries regarding the general health and welfare of the group. The council must try to find out this information before going to court.

You can read more about the rights of Travellers here