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Kemptown MP urges action on latest unauthorised traveller encampments

Sarah Green August 19, 2015

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, urges Brighton & Hove City Council to come up with a plan to deal with the latest traveller encampments at Black Rock, Wilson Avenue and East Brighton Park, after being contacted by concerned local residents.

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

Mr Kirby says he is in constant contact with Brighton & Hove City Council about unauthorised traveller encampments and also recently met with Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp recently to discuss this issue amongst others.

Mr Kirby presented a petition to Parliament earlier this year signed by thousands of Brighton residents, asking the Government to ensure that the City Council was doing all it could to move on unauthorised traveller encampments promptly.

The Secretary of State issued observations on the petition including the following comments: 

In August 2013, the Government sent all councils in England a summary of the strong and extensive powers available to them to deal with unauthorised encampments and development—including their enhanced Temporary Stop Notice powers. We reminded councils of the need to be ready to take swift and decisive action to stop unauthorised encampments starting in the first place.

Public bodies should not gold-plate human rights and equalities legislation. Councils and the police have been given strong powers to deal with unauthorised encampments and when deciding whether to take action, they may want to consider for example:

♦  the harm that such developments can cause to local amenities and the local environment

♦  the potential interference with the peaceful enjoyment of neighbouring property

♦  the need to maintain public order and safety and protect health—for example, by deterring fly-tipping and criminal damage

♦  any harm to good community relations

♦  that the state may enforce laws to control the use of an individual’s property where that is in accordance with the general public interest

Mr Kirby, said; “The Minister has set out clearly the very strong powers local authorities have. I would urge the Council to come up with a plan to deal with these traveller encampments that are causing serious concern to many local residents.”

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