Latest news with #theDowns
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
War erupts in UK's ‘caravan city' as van-dwellers torch rival homes & turn hippy paradise into rat-plagued ‘no-go zone'
RESIDENTS who live near the UK's biggest 'caravan city' say the once serene grassland has become a no-go area overrun by warring drug dealers, council-tax dodgers, human waste and rats. Bristol has the highest number of van dwellers, believed to be a population of 680-700, and the majority are parked on the roads weaving around Durdle Down, known as The Downs. 14 A caravan was set fire to in February this year, and now Bristol locals say they have had enough Credit: SWNS 14 The charred remains of the torched caravan, with police investigating who is responsible Credit: SWNS 14 Caravan dweller Michael Freeman claims he was 'dumped' on the site by his landlord after being moved on from where he was previously Credit: Adrian Sherratt The sheer number of vans and the problems they allegedly bring has resulted in fury from residents and visitors, who are now locked in a battle to reclaim their once-tranquil 442 acres of common land. One claims it's reached a "crisis" point, with 'slum-letting' rife, drug-dealing and arson attacks on vans turning it into a "no-go zone". In February police and the fire service were called to the Clifton Downs where a caravan was in flames. Engineer Tony Nelson, 52, is a local resident who launched a petition on which has almost 6,500 signatures from 44 different countries. Supporters, calling themselves the Protect the Downs group, aim to force the council to clamp down on the five-hour parking restrictions, effectively pushing van dwellers out. Tony told The Sun: 'We feel it's a shame that such a rare and precious space is allowed to fall into massive disrepair. 'There have been van dwellers living here for a couple of decades, and we're quite proud of the fact that people have passed through and visited and stayed a couple of nights. 'But the council stopped enforcement a few years ago, and people have gone, 'That's a nice green space, I fancy living there' and 'I don't fancy paying rent anymore', or, 'I'm struggling to pay rent, so actually, I'm going to check out, and I won't pay council tax, and I'm going to go live in a van.' 'That has just proliferated and grown, and everyone's jumped on that bandwagon. What's gone from a couple of responsible van dwellers has ballooned into what I can only describe as a crisis.' The Downs, with its tree-lined streets and a view over the Avon Gorge, is used for educational visits, with Sir David Attenborough once calling it the 'jewel in the city's crown'. We live in 'Caravan City' - locals moan but it's too expensive to rent 14 Local resident Tony Nelson started a petition to have the council clamp down on parking restrictions Credit: Adrian Sherratt 14 Tony says the rubbish dumped by van dwellers is attracting vermin Credit: Adrian Sherratt But now there's an underbelly of crime and filth, according to locals, who pay around £4,000 a year in council tax. Tony said: 'It's too scary, because there are people who don't want to be found by the police. We know there's drug dealing that goes on, there's fighting between people who do that. 'They burn each other's caravans down. They've said things like, 'We've got axes and baseball bats.' It's a frightening place. 'It's not a them and us situation, and a lot of people would be offended if they felt that they were being tarred with that brush, but we can't say that it's safe. They burn each other's caravans down. They've said things like, 'We've got axes and baseball bats.' It's a frightening place Tony Nelson, local resident 'There are elderly and single females who really don't want to use the Downs, especially at nighttime, because it's quite a scary place. 'You can't let your kids play in the bushes because it's full of human waste. "There are rats because of abandoned caravans and piles of rubbish. 'Children don't want to walk to school this way anymore, it's a long way round for them now, and it pushes around onto more dangerous roads. "This should be a nice, simple, safe cut through, but it's scary for them. 14 Tony claims the area is no longer safe for women and children at night Credit: Adrian Sherratt 14 The number of caravan dwellers is now surpassing 600 Credit: Adrian Sherratt 'It's not just about the people around the downs. There are 30,000 people in the parishes that surround the downs. Most of those people don't have gardens. They live in flats. 'People want to come and use this space, and they're being denied that privilege because people think it's okay to come and check out of society, live here and not pay the council tax. 'Imagine if I quite fancied living in Kensington, what would happen if I just rocked up there in a caravan?" Locals also suspect 'slum-letting' is taking place, reporting a high-end silver Range Rover dropping caravans off to house outsiders in. You can't let your kids play in the bushes because it's full of human waste. There are rats because of abandoned caravans and piles of rubbish Tony Nelson, local resident On the sunny day The Sun visited, a Range Rover was parked between two empty caravans covered in tree seeds, suggesting it hadn't been driven in a while. Meanwhile travellers camped on the grass for a month until a week ago, churning up the land on their quad bikes and reportedly abusing residents who tackled them. A recent fire brought emergency services racing to The Downs when a barbecue lit by a group of students set fire to the crisp dry grass. But the permanence of the caravans is what concerns residents in one of the most affluent areas of the city. Passing through The Downs on a 10,500-kilometre cycle trip across Europe, retired headteacher Mark Ingram, 65, from Leicester, was shocked to see the number now lining the streets. 14 Cyclist Mark Ingram was shocked by the number of vans lining the streets on the Downs Credit: Adrian Sherratt 'I've come through Portugal, France and Spain. I've seen this in the news briefly but it's a stunning sight. I've not seen anything like this. I've been astounded. 'I feel for the residents and for the people living in these conditions, being hated by the people who live here. It's not good. 'We should look to Europe to see how to solve this housing crisis.' Some of the vans and make-shift caravans house professionals, including a maths tutor and IT expert, working from their converted vans, lorries or horseboxes. But many are vulnerable, suffering from mental health issues, homelessness and drug addiction. 'Slum letting' 14 Michael Freeman says being dumped on the Downs has badly affected his mental health Credit: Adrian Sherratt 14 The council said it is working with police to address issues in the area Credit: SWNS Michael Freeman says he lived in his caravan in Warminster until he was evicted from the land it was on by the owner, who then towed him to The Downs and left him there. 'He told me I was going to live on a proper site, and dumped me here five weeks ago. I have no heating, no water and have to walk to town to find food," he explained. 'Being left here badly affected my mental health and to be honest, if it wasn't for my dog Bobby, I wouldn't still be here. 'I can understand why the locals don't like it - I don't even want to be here, I want to be housed. Being left here badly affected my mental health and to be honest, if it wasn't for my dog Bobby, I wouldn't still be here Michael Freeman, van dweller 'I am with the homeless shelter St Mungo's, so I can shower there, but it's not a great situation to be in.' But other van-lifers and residents think the Protect the Downs group is fuelling hatred. An anonymous van dweller said: 'Most of us keep ourselves to ourselves and keep the area tidy, put rubbish in bins and don't cause any issues, but we're all being tarred with the same brush. 'Groups like [Protect the Downs] fuel discrimination. 'I don't work because I'm neurodivergent, and a lot of the other people living here probably have some mental health issues. 'We're not stopping people visiting The Downs, and where else would we go? 'There are proper sites for van-dwellers, called Meanwhile sites, but they're pretty dangerous places and nobody would want to live there.' 'Ignorant' 14 The space is used by Bristol residents as well as the residents of the vans Credit: Adrian Sherratt 14 Some of the van dwellers appear to have settled in for the long term Credit: Adrian Sherratt A local resident and member of the Protect The Downs Facebook group, who asked not to be named, said: 'The group poses as one that is fair and is only concerned with making the Downs a better place for all. "However the message so many of the members spread is one of hatred and discrimination towards those whose lives they don't understand, lives they won't even try to engage with. 'Just the other day Frankie Turton posted about a litter pick up the van dwellers do once a week asking if people would like to join. 'You would have thought those so keen to complain about the problems would be the first to join the pick-up, not one of them has volunteered. 'It would have been an ideal opportunity for everyone to get a better understanding of each other's points of view, but that isn't what the group really wants. 'The group wants to remain ignorant to the struggles of others and to a different way of life.' 'Robust action' 14 A pile of rubbish outside one of the caravans Credit: Adrian Sherratt 14 Cops say they are patrolling the site to deal with issues raised Credit: Adrian Sherratt The group is currently seeking quotes from barristers as it intends to take the council to court if it does not enforce the parking restrictions. Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Committee, said: 'We understand that the current situation is not sustainable, and the council is taking a proactive stance on addressing issues. 'We know that we need to reduce the need for so many people to live in vehicles, and remain committed to increasing the number of well-built, affordable homes in Bristol so that people have a safe and secure place they can call home. 'People living in vehicles can experience poor health and other vulnerabilities, and our focus must be on finding sustainable solutions and support options. "However, if an encampment, or individuals within an encampment, start to have a negative impact on the area in which they live, we need to make sure we have a robust and clear policy for when we will take action.' An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: 'We're aware of public concerns relating to antisocial behaviour in certain parts of The Downs. 'We have frequent contact with partners, including Bristol City Council, and will continue to work with them over the summer months to tackle the issues raised with us. 'The Downs is an area of high footfall so our officers carry out regular high-visibility patrols there to help reduce antisocial behaviour, provide the public with reassurance and to act where any criminal offences may be seen. 'Anecdotal information around issues is useful to help shape our plans for dealing with issues in any area. 'However we'd continue to urge members of the public to report crimes to us, ideally while they are taking place, because that way we can take robust action and secure the evidence necessary to achieve a criminal conviction where the offence must be proven beyond all reasonable doubt.'
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Bristol van dwellers: Fear and loathing on Clifton's leafy streets
"I'm standing up for my rights," bellows Danny, a balding man with a grey beard who calls a converted horsebox home in a leafy suburb of 55-year-old has just marched across the grass, his pink shirt flapping open in the early evening warmth, to confront group of locals who have gathered near their homes, next to a row of decaying caravans."You shouldn't be on the Downs," a historic open parkland in the city, one of the women says, accusing him of having "attitude"."Why shouldn't I?" he shoots back. "What's it got to do with you?"The frayed tempers we witnessed in the city's Clifton suburb this week were a vivid sign that the temperature here is rising. More than 100 caravans have appeared on the edge of the green space, parked up and showing no sign of budging, most of them in the last few months. This has angered some residents, who have complained about rubbish, human waste, anti-social behaviour and the blocking of streets and views. They question why van dwellers, as they're known, are allowed to stay for weeks, months, even years, filling up roads where parking is normally limited to five residents want action; the van dwellers want the heart of it all is a clash of cultures playing out on Bristol's picturesque streets. Soaring house prices and rising rents make this one of the most expensive cities and have brought increasing tension to its neighbourhoods. 'Become a sink' "The stuff they are posting is absolutely ludicrous, in fact it's bordering on hate crime," Danny, who won't give his surname, tells me. He's referring to the "Protect the Downs" group on Facebook that has been set up calling for vans to be removed from the the locals of acting like a "lynch mob", he defends his contribution to the city through arts and events companies he's run and says he paid £35,000 in business rates to Bristol City Council last Tony Nelson, a former RAF serviceman who runs the Facebook group, denies any charge of elitism or Nimbyism. "The few responsible van dwellers are fine, they've never been a problem."That's not the case for all, he says. Earlier this year a caravan burned down in a suspected arson attack. Locals have also reported alleged drug use, potential human trafficking and prostitution, and claim a minority of the dwellers empty toilet waste into drains, gardens and that his group is targeting van dwellers, Tony says they are in fact "trying to find the people who are truly vulnerable so we can get them the help they need"."This used to be famous across the country - I'd heard of the Bristol Downs when I was living in East Anglia, so I know it was once a treasured place," Tony tells me."Now it's become a sink."The situation has reached a point where Anne Bragg, who moved six years ago to a home overlooking the Downs, says she and her fellow residents are afraid to leave their retirement flats at night."I have a great deal of sympathy for people who are homeless, I really do. But there are a lot of people up here who are not – they're just living here because they can. I have to pay for the privilege," she says, referring to the lack of council tax paid by the dwellers - though some may still pay road taxes or income taxes. No easy solution And it's not just the Downs. Across the city there are an estimated 680 vans or caravans being used as homes. Numbers have increased from 150 before the pandemic and surged particularly in the last two years. Bristol has the highest figures, and is the first city to come up with a suggested permanent solution - dedicated sites for van dwelling, plus "service sites" like pit stops for water and waste, and more outreach services to help people get a home if they want currently there is neither the money nor the space allocated for this, with a small number of temporary sites in the meantime proving unable to keep up with demand."It's incredibly difficult," says Ian Bowen from Bristol City Council, who has co-ordinated its Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Service since 2020 and spends most of his time focused on van dwellers. He says the council needs to do more to address the city's "crisis of accommodation", leaving people shut out of the housing market through poverty, addiction or poor mental health, but it's another set of costs for a cash-strapped public service. Issuing fines against unregistered caravans is tricky, evicting them is expensive and, Ian says, futile."We don't want to just move people from one place to the next. We need to provide people with a different opportunity so they're not having to live in old, unhygienic vehicles. They are Bristolians who are trying to live and work in the city they call home, and they need to be treated as citizens, the same as anyone else."Another aspect to all this is that the van dwelling community is itself divided over moving on to different, or more permanent, locations. 'They will never get rid of us' Sandwiched between Bristol's Ikea store and the rumbling M32 motorway, Ash Waker gives a guided tour of his twin berth. "It's not big but it's home," says the 30-year-old who's lived here for three years, drifting in and out of work as a chef. A massive "Home Furnishings" banner glares over the line of grubby once-white caravans, many with padlocked doors and windows taped explains that an immigration enforcement team last year removed his Brazilian kerbside neighbours who had been working as delivery riders, leaving abandoned caravans which were taken over by drug dealers and alcoholics."I'd happily move onto a site," he says. "If it keeps the peace and we can live how we want to live then I'll happily pay for it."But Danny is defiant. "They will never get rid of us," he says. "They can do whatever they like, but people have lived on that road for years and years, 30 or 40 years."He adds that he feels some of the local residents complaining about the van dwellers are bigoted and divisions are on show here and questions are being posed about whose rights should rule over our shared spaces. People live in vans for many different reasons, some making a choice, others facing a life of limited the fiery confrontation we witnessed on the Downs, the two sides felt very far apart, wary of each other's motives and intentions. But as tempers calmed, Danny and Tony shook hands."We all agree it's the council's inaction that is letting everybody down," Tony says, finding something they agree on. All accept the situation is untenable and other places will be watching how Bristol finds a resolution that offers a home to suit everyone.
