PITCH BATTLE
We’ve pitched up our caravan on roadside & don’t CARE if council says we’re in way – we’re not a nuisance & won’t budge
Blocked pavements, fires, littering and human waste have been listed as causes for concern
A VAN-dweller living in "Caravan City" has refused the council's plans to move him, stating he is not part of the problem.
The Bristol "encampment" came to light months ago when locals raised concerns over the increase in lived-in vehicles turning up on their doorsteps.
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Dave Turner, 24, works as a technician and has been living in his caravan on the Downs for months.
He has since spoken out after Bristol City Council tried to force him to relocate.
After getting the letter from the council a week ago, he said the situation has been keeping him up at night.
He said: "It's not good. One of the reasons the council gave was our waste disposal, but most of us do it the proper way. They say we're too close to houses but I can't see many houses around here.
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"I work in Bristol if I moved, I can't think of anywhere I could go that would cause less irritation to people than here. It's very stressful I've been looking around as I'll have to try to move."
Residents in the area believe the council has not acted tough enough to prevent the "encampment" from spilling over and continuing to grow.
Dave added: "I don't like how they've grouped us together and called us an 'encampment' - I'm here on my own. I haven't come with a group. I was fine until I got the letter and now it's keeping me up."
Fears of being broken into have left Dave fearful of moving closer to the city centre whilst he also has concerns over ensuring the solar panels on his van can get enough sun light.
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The van dwellers site was first brought to attention in March with a report the following month finding around 800 people who have refused to take the hint and relocate from the previously "scenic" area.
The findings suggested that the cost-of-living crisis was to blame with a rise in van conversions, caravans and motorhomes.
Whilst the housing crisis has also made a dent with many struggling to hop on the property ladder and being forced to find alternative, cheaper living arrangements.
This has become true for Bristol's housing market with the city being the most expensive place to rent in the UK outside of London and the new report suggesting that those living in vans are doing so out of "necessity, not choice".
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Bristol City Council attempted to move the vehicles on in May with a two week notice period, however these attempts seem to have been thwarted.
Van-dwellers have been spotted up and down the city, sighted wherever a space has become available.
Ever since Bristol City Council attempted to evict those living on the site, vans have popped up in residential roads and grassy areas
Callum Kennedy, 30, works in Bristol as a maintenance engineer.
He suggested that the council did not inform him of their attempts to reduce numbers at "Caravan City" and instead he received an abandoned vehicle notice.
Bristol City Council published a report in April revealing that the number of vans in its remit quadrupled from the approximate 100 people who lived in vans three years ago.
Before this there were reports of blocked pavements, fires, littering, human waste and a worrying rise in numbers.
This likely led to the council attempting to put a stop to the anti-social "encampment".
It comes as Bristol was not named in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live.
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The lack of affordable homes forcing people to turn to life behind the wheel could be to blame.
The Sun has approached Bristol City Council for comment.
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