All the rules for travellers as police deal with spate of illegal camps in Doncaster

Police and council officials in Doncaster have been dealing with a spate of illegal traveller camps in the town in recent days – so what are the rules for dealing with the issue?
Travellers set up camp in Sandall Park.Travellers set up camp in Sandall Park.
Travellers set up camp in Sandall Park.

Camps have been set up at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium, Sandall Park and on the site of a demolished pub in Armthorpe Road in recent days – with complaints from nearby residents about anti-social behaviour, including human excrement and rubbish being left behind.

Doncaster Council has a number of legal sites for travellers in Doncaster – and measures to evict travellers who set up camp on land illegally.

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The authority has the responsibility for dealing with unauthorised encampments and stray horses – so here are the rules and how they are enforced.

To report an unauthorised encampment or stray horses, residents can fill in a form HERE

Unauthorised encampments

Illegal encampment on council land:

The council’s liaison team will visit and complete a health assessment.

Enforcement will be decided on an individual basis dependant on circumstances.

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Enforcement will be taken to evict the illegal encampment by use of court procedures. Court procedures take between 3 - 4 days.

Evictions will be carried out with the cooperation of the Police.

Illegal encampments on private land:

The liaison team will only take action if asked for in writing by the land owner.

Advice will be given on other options to the land owner.

If the liaison team take court action on behalf of the land owner, the land owner will be charged the court fees.

Private illegal sites:

Private illegal sites should be reported on 01302 736000.

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This will then be investigated by the planning team and enforcement taken if necessary.

Authorised sites

St Leger Homes has a responsibility for managing and maintaining the authority’s Gypsy and Traveller sites, they liaise with members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities and also outside agencies providing help and advice.

There are a number of Gypsy and Traveller sites throughout the borough that are maintained and managed by St Leger Homes, these are:

Lands End, Thorne

Little Lane Road, Clay Lane

Nursery Lane (New Traveller), Sprotbrough

White Towers, Armthorpe