Derby to get new traveller site as illegal visits cost taxpayers thousands

A search has begun to find land available for a new traveller site in Derby as illegal encampments have cost the city council thousands of pounds. Derby City Council’s chief planning officer Paul Clark told a meeting the authority was looking at various locations across all of Derby – but said a new permanent site would be on council-owned land and would be the size of 14 pitches.

The council currently has only one traveller site in the city on Russell Street - Imari Park - near Cotton Lane but the site is at full capacity. This means when travellers enter the city they have nowhere legally to pitch and stay.

This year and in 2023 there have been several illegal encampments in council-owned land including parks and leisure centres. This year alone the council have had to take action to remove travellers from Derby Arena, Chester Green, Racecourse Park and Osmaston Park.

Join us on WhatsApp to get the latest news straight to your phone

A discussion at a Communities, Public Protection and Housing scrutiny board meeting on Monday (November 18) heard how illegal encampments both in 2023 and this year had cost the council almost £7,000.

The council usually pays for any clean-up of the site up after travellers illegally enter land and, if required, may have to pay to repair for any damage. The council also foots the bill for any security costs and in some cases the provision of toilets.

Last year it was reported that illegal traveller stays at Springwood Leisure Centre car park and Rainbow Park in Breadsall Hill Top cost the taxpayer more than £4,000. Including all other illegal encampments in 2023 and 2024 so far, the total cost to the council is now almost £7,000.

Read more - Huge American ownership claim made amid Derby County investment search

Mr Clark told councillors the search had begun for land to facilitate a new traveller site – and warned councillors there could be serious consequences down the line for not providing one. He said: “We are looking at all areas in Derby that the city council own. Land ownership is key as we need to provide 14 pitches somewhere in the city. That is probably all 14 together in one site.

“But it is early days because we have to juggle housing, employment and various other land uses, as well as retaining public open space. If we don’t provide one (a traveller site) the inspectors won’t force it upon us but then the local plan doesn’t meet the criteria. In the next local plan we need to find 14 permanent pitches.”

Mr Clark was then asked by a councillor what would happen if the council didn’t provide a new traveller site. He responded by saying the council could be forced to accept new homes in unsuitable places because the council would not have a valid local plan to direct future house building.

He said: “We would end up with no local plan which means there will be housing applications where we don’t want them. Developers will bring them forward where you don’t want them. It will be planning by appeal - but we will lose because we don’t have a local plan. The local plan drives housing to the right locations – that’s why we need a local plan.”

We send out the biggest stories in an email every day. Sign up for the main Derbyshire Live newsletter here.