Leeds plans six no-go zones for travellers

Six sites in Leeds could become no-go zones for unlawful encampments in a bid to restrict the number of travellers sites.

Council bosses have applied for a wide-ranging injunction in a bid to prevent travellers from setting up camp in “sensitive” parts of the city.

If Leeds City Council’s bid for an injunction is successful then travellers will be forbidden to trespass on certain sites in and around Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The areas covered by the injunction include Roundhay Park and Soldiers Field, Holbeck Moor, Wykebeck Valley, The John Charles Centre for Sport, Gassy Field at Armley Gyratory and land around the historic Kirkstall Abbey.

Councillor Peter Gruen, executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods, 
planning and support services, said: “We have looked at all our options very carefully when considering submitting this injunction.

“All of these sites have suffered due to unlawful encampments in the past.

“The encampments tend to cause disruptions to local people and incur a cost to the council with the tidying up and court fees associated with moving people on.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Gruen added: “We have already had success with toleration agreements and injunctions against individuals set up against certain groups or individuals, but we want a more robust solution to tackling unlawful encampments in these very visible and well used locations.

“If we are successful with obtaining the injunction we will send a clear message that unlawful encampments will not be tolerated.”