Court orders gipsies to vacate camp

Doncaster Council said it had been forced to take action because the residents of the site failed to comply with an order issued by the Secretary of State.

The residents laid hard standing and installed caravans on the field in Askern, north of Doncaster, without planning permission.

Their application for retrospective planning permission was refused and two appeals have been dismissed.

Families living on the site have been offered support in finding accommodation by Doncaster Council’s housing options team and assistance with storage for their caravans.

Deputy mayor of Doncaster Cynthia Ransome said: “The message is very clear.

“The planning rules apply to everyone and Doncaster Council will not tolerate anyone building or placing caravans wherever they like.

“There are a number of maintained gipsy traveller sites across the borough and we have a strategy in place to provide further pitches.”