The process of evicting illegal travellers in Devizes, Melksham, or Calne can be complicated and frustrating.
First of all, you need to get the orders from the court to help you in the eviction process in Swindon.
But it's not as easy as that; before the evacuation will take place in Wiltshire, there are several laws and problems to remember.
Landowners in Swindon can find it difficult to remove illegal occupants because the Wiltshire Council doesn't mediate in such matters.
Nevertheless, the council in Wiltshire has the powers to force landowners in Swindon to evict travellers illegally settled on their private land.
The travellers from Melksham, Calne, or Devizes can only build camps on the land in Swindon they have taken permission for.
Parking in the following areas is unlawful:
On a road or verge or in a layby in a way that obstructs or could be a danger to other road users in Swindon
On arable land in Wiltshire such as farm land
Restricted plantations like land which belong to the Forestry Commission in Swindon
Many municipalities may have waste land areas in Melksham, Devizes, or Calne that visitors can briefly use as illegal locations.
In case travellers settle on council property in Swindon, a council representative may tour the area and analyse whether or not the occupants should be removed.
There are several factors that a Wiltshire council representative will need to consider before deciding whether to evict travellers, for example, how long the invaders will stay in Swindon, safety issues that can affect the site and the condition of the visitors such as age and health status where it could be risky to remove them.
The Wiltshire council also needs to consider whether the number of vehicles is suitable for the area's size, what the land in Swindon is normally used for and whether it will be needed in the near future, any potential land damage and the impact on the local community.
Travellers from Devizes, Calne, or Melksham may be facilitated in Swindon by the Council in terms of portable toilets and rubbish bin bags and may be charged with small fees.
The travellers in Swindon may request the council to voluntarily provide these facilities due to public health.
Local authorities in Wiltshire must apply for court orders or injunctions to evict travellers.
The council must first show that the travellers are on the land in Swindon without consent.
The hearing date in court will determine the time it takes to remove the visitors in Swindon.
In some cases, travellers in Devizes, Calne, or Melksham and the local authorities reach on an agreement regarding a leaving date in order to prevent eviction in Wiltshire.
The landowners or the Council representatives in Swindon can contact the police in case of trespassing, or if the vehicles are in large quantity for the people are more than 3 or, if the condition is threatening to the people around the Council or the landowner can contact the police immediately in Wiltshire.
The police will appear to request that the Swindon travellers leave the land in the least amount of time possible.
They also need to be given the time to fix the vehicles in case of breaking down in Devizes, Melksham, or Calne.
It is a criminal offense if the travellers fail to move on from Swindon within the given time or return to the same location in Wiltshire after three months.
Upon conviction, the travellers will be fined or imprisoned.
Police in Swindon can also tow away the travellers' vehicles, and if the vehicles are not claimed by them within 21 days, the vehicles will be destroyed.
You have a role to play in the reduction of travellers' encampment on Council lands and when you notice any of such, do not hesitate to alert the local council in Wiltshire for them to make assessments and take the needed actions in Swindon.
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