Council looks at options for preventing illegal caravan trespass

Bridgend County Borough Council is looking at options for preventing caravans from illegally accessing and parking at playing fields in Rest Bay in the future.

The council was in the process of taking legal action after locks were removed from gates barring entry to the playing fields, and the caravans moved in. However, they left the site just as a notice was about to be served.

It follows earlier action taken by the council at Salt Lake instructing the caravans to leave after gates and boulders which had been set up to prevent access to that site were removed.

Council staff have visited both sites to clear any rubbish that has been left behind, and the gates have been locked once more. Officers are now looking at different options which would prevent further trespass and illegal occupation.

Cllr John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The law requires local councils to follow a strict procedure when dealing with situations such as this which includes carrying out social services assessments to confirm that there are no welfare issues that must be attended to.

“Ensuring that we have met all of our responsibilities before being in a position where we are able to serve a legal notice can take time, but people can be assured that we will never fail to take appropriate action.

“The council is now looking at different ways of preventing such illegal activity from reoccurring at the site, and we are monitoring the situation closely.”