Travellers remain in Brighton’s Stanmer Park – ten days after council secure eviction notice

Brighton council leaders have still not evicted an unauthorised encampment from a popular park – despite obtaining a possession order ten days ago.

Residents have said a group of of about 20 travellers moved into Stanmer Park more than a fortnight ago. This is in addition to a group of van dwellers in the park’s church car park.

Despite Brighton and Hove City Council obtaining a legal notice to evict both groups last Tuesday (May 13), they remain on the public land.

A further 30 vehicles have been reported to have moved into Preston Park on Wednesday evening.

With the bank holiday to come and many schools breaking up for half-term next week, some fear that people will be deterred from visiting the city’s parks.

According to a message on the council’s website about Stanmer Park, the local authority said it was “making arrangements for an eviction to be carried out, should the occupants fail to leave the site voluntarily”.

On Preston Park, the local authority said: “We have visited this site with police. We are now seeking possession of this land. We will be applying to the County Court for a Possession Order which will enable us to arrange for an eviction to be carried out as soon as practicable, should the families fail to leave the site voluntarily.”

But Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett said it was “outrageous”, adding: “Why aren’t the council using the eviction order? The council is slipping there. It’s not fair on those people who do pay council tax.

“What will people visiting think if they see the grass churned up and mess everywhere? The summer holidays are just round the corner and it’s not a good advert for the city.”