Brighton MP to hold public meeting tonight about travellers

A Brighton MP is holding a public meeting about travellers this evening (Friday 16 September).

Simon Kirby, the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, has called the meeting to discuss with constituents the possibility of a future permanent or “tolerated” site in Woodingdean.

He has written to people across the area, and including Ovingdean, inviting them to the meeting at Woodingdean Community Centre at 7pm.

Mr Kirby said: “Over the summer my constituents have become very angry at the cavalier attitude with which the local Green council has dealt with the traveller issue in Woodingdean, East Brighton Park, Black Rock, Duke’s Mound, Wild Park and other parts of Brighton.

“To keep saying previous procedures are being followed is not good enough when other statements from the administration fail to discourage further incursions.

“The council is looking at sites across the city and has not ruled out any particular site.

“That is why I have called a public meeting so that my constituents can let me have their views about Happy Valley in Woodingdean.

“I have invited representatives from Brighton and Hove City Council and the police to attend the meeting and officials will be present.

“I hope as many of my constituents as possible will attend.”

The council said that it had issued a 28-day notice to quit last Thursday (8 September) to travellers occupying 19 Acres in Devil’s Dyke Road, off the A27 Brighton Bypass.

If the travellers have not left by the end of 28 days, the council said that it would seek a possession order at Brighton County Court.

A spokesman said that the travellers had gone from Hollingbury now although there was still an unauthorised encampment of travellers and Gypsies in East Brighton Park.

The spokesman said: “We have visited this site with the police.

“A possession hearing for this land will take place in the county court on Friday 23 September and once we have obtained a possession order we will carry out an eviction as soon as practicable.

“While this encampment remains we will continue to monitor the site with the police.”