Sutton residents '˜living in fear' of travellers

Bramley Court residents from left, Gina Harrison, Val Robertson, Jayne Carrington, Ann Marriott, Jean Thompson, Alan Pilmore and Mark Carrington

Gina Harrison, aged 60, of nearby Bramley Court, and says the problem is getting worse now travellers have moved onto the public open space.

She said: “I have lots of elderly neighbours.

“In the last couple of years the anti-social behaviour has gotten worse, as there seems to be a dispute over who owns the land and it has become overgrown and neglected, which seems to encourage the bad behaviour.”

“We are living in fear around here.

“Travellers are pulling up at 3am disturbing all the residents and it’s having a huge impact on us.

“We’ve all had enough. No-one seems to want to take ownership of the land – all it needs is a fence putting up.”

“I’m not going out since the travellers came onto the site,

“I have my curtains drawn and I’m living in darkness. I have locked my back door even though it’s usually open, as I am close with my neighbours.”

Ms Harrison said anti-social behaviour includes youngsters driving their cars and bikes around, playing loud music and drinking.

She said: “I feel like a prisoner in my own home.”

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Ashfield District Council leader, said, “Sutton Lawn is one of our busiest parks, especially in the summer holidays.

“The travellers came on the park after being moved on from Berry Hill in Mansfield.

“We’ve helped Nottinghamshire County Council, which owns the land affected to draw up an eviction order, we’ve had our wardens on there and they will be doing regular patrols to reassure local people and park users.

“The council is doing all it can and we will continue to work to ensure minimal disruption is caused and that families can continue to enjoy using our park.

Coun Samantha Deakin, county councillor for the area said: “We have started a dialogue with the travellers and they seem peaceful and open to conversation.

“There are nearly 20 children on the camp and their safety needs to be taken into consideration.

“Residents of Bramley Court, Sutton, which backs onto the site have had enough problems lately.

“I would like to let them and park users know we are doing everything within our power to move them on.”

Officers from the district council’s private enforcement team visited the encampment on Monday, July 30,and engaged with the occupiers of the 10 caravans,