Traveller sites are booming as they exploit the Human Rights Act to defy the law

Published 11th Jun 2009

The number of illegal traveller sites has soared since Labour introduced the Human Rights Act, figures showed yesterday.

A new site is appearing every three days as travellers use the controversial legislation to sidestep planning laws.

They buy cheap green-belt farmland and construct sites without planning permission, then contest any efforts to evict them as a breach of their human rights.

The figures show a particularly sharp increase in illegal sites ' tolerated' by councils which feel helpless to challenge them.

When Labour introduced the Human Rights Act in 1999, fewer than 300 illegal sites were tolerated on land in England owned by travellers.

By January this year that had risen more than fourfold to 1,279.

The total number of illegal sites - including those built on other people's land - soared by 1,166 to 3,680.

This is equivalent to more than one new site every three days for almost a decade.

Conservative critics warned last night that planning rules are straining community relations.

They called for a return to 'fair play' where the same rules apply to everyone.

The Human Rights Act made it possible to fight cases in British courts using the European Convention on Human Rights instead of having to travel to the European Court in Strasbourg.

A group of travellers has recently purchased a field near the home of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in the village of Lacock

Travellers have used their right to respect for their homes and family lives under the Act to stop councils evicting them from illegal sites.

Critics also blamed planning guidelines introduced in 2005.

These ordered local authorities to consider 'diversity and equality' in planning matters and to take 'positive action' to avoid discriminating against any groups.

By contrast, homeowners face masses of red tape in order to build an extension, and often have to demolish buildings put up without planning permission.

Some of those who have written protest letters about camps have had their complaints dismissed because they are deemed racist.

The figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government show the number of illegal sites in England on land owned by travellers rose from 729 in January 2000 to 2,365 this year.

With a further 1,315 illegal sites established on other people's land, the total number in England has risen from 2,514 to 3,680.

That does not include the 4,820 authorised sites provided by local councils at taxpayers' expense.

With more travellers buying land and then abusing the planning laws, there is evidence councils are losing their appetite for enforcing the rules.

Since 2006, the number of sites where officials are trying to evict the travellers has fallen from 1,440 to 1,086. But the number of 'tolerated' illegal sites rose from 964 to 1,279.

Bob Neill, Tory local government spokesman, said it was wrong that law-abiding homeowners face huge bureaucracy to build an extension while travellers flout the rules.

'The perception of unfairness this breeds causes tension in local communities,' he added.

'We need fair play, with the same planning rules for everyone, rather than special treatment for certain groups.'

Last month, the Mail reported how 50 travellers descended on the Gloucestershire village of Newent at 5pm one Friday, just as council offices closed for the Bank Holiday weekend.

They spent three days and nights concreting over a beauty spot and installing sewerage, toilets and electricity, all without permission.

It followed a series of similar incidents in which travellers have exploited holidays to move in.

Source: ' Daily Mail '

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