Concern over illegal traveller encampment at town site

Dozens of vehicles, including caravans and Transit vans, were yesterday parked on a piece of private land off a roundabout close to the Ramada Jarvis hotel at Wetherby.

The travellers began arriving at the site earlier this week and by last night were said to number in the region of 60 vehicles.

The private owner of the land is believed to be seeking an eviction order.

A local Tory councillor, Coun Gerald Wilkinson, described the camp as “absolutely huge”.

Coun Wilkinson added: “This is an illegal encampment and it is a disgrace that they are camping there.

“They are Irish travellers who came to Wetherby on Saturday morning.

“This is the first time they have camped at this site. I am concerned for the residents and for businesses.

“It is a misuse of land and they have no right to be there. They should move themselves to somewhere else as soon as possible.”

Leeds Council officials are liaising with the travellers, the landowner and have made the police aware.

The council is currently trying to reduce the number of unauthorised gipsy and traveller sites in Leeds. The authority is set to bid for a £1m grant towards providing a new 10-pitch site for travellers.

The council has spent nearly £2m since 2003 evicting travellers and paying for the clean-up of vacated sites.

Helen Jones, of Leeds Gipsy and Traveller Exchange, has warned that 10 new pitches will not stop unauthorised camps.

The council has ruled out extending the existing travellers site at Cottingley Springs in Leeds.