Unauthorised Gypsy and Travellers sites

Find information about how the council approaches Gypsies and Travellers on a public open space or other land.

Occasionally there are unauthorised encampments within North Yorkshire.

Councils and police have powers to evict unlawful trespassers but must follow specific procedures if they are to successfully obtain an eviction order from the courts.

Unauthorised encampments on private land

If Gypsies and Travellers are camped on private land, it is usually the landowner's responsibility. We will attend the site to complete a needs assessment and visit regularly to distribute waste collection bags. We recommend landowners seek their own independent, legal advice.

Landowners can talk to the Gypsies and Travellers to see if a leaving date can be agreed. If not, they may need to seek advice from a solicitor and apply to court for an eviction.

Letting Gypsies and Travellers stay on private land may be a breach of planning or licensing regulations. Landowners may wish to seek further advice from our environmental health team, who have powers of enforcement and will initially deal with illegal encampments.

Trespass on private land is not a criminal offence, so the removal of trespassers is the responsibility of the landowner. However, the police can get involved if there is a criminal offence committed or public disorder.

Unauthorised encampments on council land

The time it takes to remove unauthorised encampments from council land depends on the circumstances of each case. In all cases we have to apply to court for an eviction date. If there is an unavoidable reason for Gypsies and Travellers to stay on the site or if the court believes that the council has failed to make adequate enquiries regarding the general health and welfare of Gypsies and Travellers, they can refuse to grant an eviction.