Plymouth City Council has provided toilets and bins to a group of travellers who have returned to Devonport Park just weeks after being removed, sparking frustration amongst local residents who say they cannot use the Grade II-listed historic park during school holidays.
Five caravans and assorted vehicles appeared at the 150-year-old park on Wednesday morning, marking the second unauthorised encampment at the site in recent weeks. Images posted to social media showed the group settled on the parkland, which sits between the communities of Devonport, Stoke, Morice Town and Keyham.
The council confirmed it has started legal proceedings for removal but has provided facilities “so that the area can be kept as tidy as possible, and to minimise clean-up costs afterwards” – a move that has angered residents who view it as capitulation.
One frustrated local told PlymouthLive: “Travellers back yet again in Devonport Park. Council is so thick. They had every opportunity to secure the park and did nothing. Right on school holidays. No doubt we won’t be able to use the park again.”
Previous Encampment Ignored Legal Orders
The latest occupation comes after a previous group, who arrived in May, ignored a Notice to Quit order, forcing Plymouth City Council to pursue court proceedings to secure a possession order hearing at the end of June.
The council spokesman said: “We are aware of a new encampment at Devonport Park. We know that this is an area valued by residents and we have started the legal process for removal.”
The authority is also dealing with another unauthorised encampment at Prince Rock Playing Fields, where travellers were served a Notice to Quit last week which has since expired. The council is now applying to the court for a Possession Order.
Allegations of Anti-Social Behaviour
Residents living near the park have reported a catalogue of anti-social behaviour over recent months. One nearby resident claimed travellers were “occupying both football pitches, allowing their chickens to graze, riding quad-bikes on pedestrian pathways, abusing passers-by, lighting fires, causing children’s events to be cancelled, dumping litter, using the park as a base for their business and are rumoured to be using firearms on the wildlife.
They added that they were “disappointed by the lack of response by the council and police“, claiming they had written to their local councillor without receiving a response.
Back in May, another resident said they were “horrified to see the Travellers who have set up home are keeping chickens in small cramped metal cages with no food or water [and] no roofs.”
Police Response and Community Tensions
A spokesman from Devonport and West Plymouth Neighbourhood Team acknowledged the situation: “We are aware of the unauthorised encampment in Devonport Park. Whilst we understand how frustrating it is for residents to lose access to part of this recreational ground again, please be assured that we are working with the local authorities on this issue.”
The police spokesperson urged restraint on social media: “We urge people to think carefully before commenting on social media and to report any criminal or antisocial behaviour to police by 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency), or through the online reporting system on the Devon and Cornwall police website.
Council’s Long-Standing Challenge
Plymouth City Council has been grappling with unauthorised encampments for years, experiencing approximately 15-30 such incidents annually, predominantly between March and September. The authority’s Gypsy Roma and Traveller policy acknowledges the challenges faced by travelling communities in finding authorised stopping places.
In 2023, a council spokesman admitted: “The type of unauthorised encampments that we see in Plymouth are not in anyone’s best interest. They unsettle residents, cost the council money and do not provide the appropriate facilities for the Gypsy, Roma and Travelling community.
The council has long held ambitions to establish Temporary Stopping Sites (TSPs) for the GRT community, which would allow police to use their powers to immediately direct any unauthorised encampment to a designated site. However, progress has been hampered by “the challenge of finding a location for TSPs within the city boundary and suitable for both the settled and GRT communities.”
Legal Framework and Human Rights
Under current UK law, unauthorised encampments on council land constitute a civil matter unless criminal behaviour is involved. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are protected from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
When dealing with unauthorised encampments, councils must conduct welfare assessments with particular regard to children, the elderly and vulnerable individuals. They must also consider proportionality and whether suitable alternative sites are available before pursuing eviction.
The council’s policy allows for negotiated stopping arrangements of up to 28 days on suitable low-impact sites, though Devonport Park has not been designated as such a location.
Broader Context and Challenges
Plymouth currently maintains one permanent site at Bayview Caravan Park but has no assessed need for additional permanent Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites according to the Joint Local Plan. This leaves travelling groups with limited authorised options when visiting the city.
The situation reflects broader tensions across the UK, where only 31.3% of people with psychosis receive specialist mental health care according to government statistics. A 2018 Equality and Human Rights Commission report found that 44% of British people expressed openly negative opinions about GRT people – the highest level of prejudice against any British ethnic group.
Clean-Up Costs and Council Resources
The previous encampment at Knowle Battery has now departed, with the area cleaned by the council’s Street Service team. However, the financial burden of managing unauthorised encampments and subsequent clean-ups continues to strain council resources.
The authority faces challenges in taking environmental enforcement action, as they must have evidence linking waste to specific individuals to pursue legal remedies for damage or littering.
As the summer holidays continue, residents remain concerned about access to one of Plymouth’s oldest formal public parks, which features a memorial garden, adventure play area, bowls club, heritage trail and the Park Pavilion Café. The park, which holds a Green Flag Award, offers panoramic views of the River Tamar and is considered a vital community asset.
The council has confirmed that a 24-hour Notice to Quit will be served on the current group, though based on previous experiences, residents remain sceptical about swift resolution.
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