Gypsy and traveller camps on private land

If they are on private land, it is usually the landowner's responsibility. The Government has advised that when gypsies and travellers are not causing a problem, the site may be tolerated.

The landowner can talk to them to see if a leaving date can be agreed.

If a date isn’t agreed the landowner can take proceedings in the County to obtain a Court Order for their eviction. There must be a minimum of two clear days between service of documents and the Court hearing.

Temporary camps on private land

Unless the landowner has already obtained planning permission for a caravan site or is a farmer and the gypsies and travellers are helping with fruit picking etc., then the landowner could be in breach of the Planning Acts and the Acts dealing with the licensing of caravan sites. 

You may want to seek further advice from our Environmental Health section, who deal with illegal encampments.

If the landowner is in breach of any planning or license requirements, we will take proceedings against the landowner to require removal of the illegal encampment.