Key facts
- Residents in a wealthy Surrey village are taking action to prevent travelers settling on new land.
- Two additional plots of land have been put up for sale in the Surrey village.
- Residents fear the expansion of an illegal encampment.
- A Green council in Bristol plans to create a legal 'meanwhile site' for van dwellers.
- Neighbors in Bristol have expressed fury over the 'meanwhile site' proposal.
Residents in a wealthy Surrey village are reportedly taking "drastic action" to prevent travelers from settling on two additional plots of land that have recently been put up for sale. This move is driven by concerns that the travelers may expand an existing illegal encampment in the neighborhood. The situation in Surrey highlights ongoing tensions between local communities and traveler populations, particularly when it involves unauthorized settlements.
In a separate but related development, a Green council in Bristol has also faced significant backlash from neighbors over its plan to establish a legal 'meanwhile site' for van dwellers. Such sites are intended to provide temporary, legal spaces for people living in vehicles, but the Bristol proposal has sparked fury among local residents who are concerned about potential impacts on their community. The opposition in Bristol underscores the complex challenges local authorities face in balancing the needs of van dwellers with the concerns of established residents.