Does Cambridge City Council provide authorised pitches for Gypsies/Travellers to stay on?
At the moment, there are no authorised pitches in the City for you to stay on. Council officers are currently carrying out investigations into land that would be suitable for a transit site – pitches on which would be available for a period of up to 3 months.
What happens if I set up an unauthorised encampment?
If you set up an unauthorised encampment, whom you meet will depend on the type of land you are on.
If you are on privately owned land then it could be the landowner who first visits you, however, if the landowner reports trespass to the Police, it might be the Police you first meet.
If the landowner is Cambridge City Council, a council officer will visit you – Cambridge City Council does not currently employ a Traveller Liaison Officer. You will be asked questions about your situation, your health and welfare, and if you need any other support. Unless anyone in your group has specific needs, Cambridge City Council may take legal action. You will also, usually, be visited by a representative from Cambridge City Council City Services who will leave you refuse sacks and arrange to collect them.
If the landowner is Cambridgeshire County Council, or your camp is on a Right of Way or a Highway, the County Traveller Liaison Officer will visit you along with the appropriate County Council officer.
What legal action might be taken if I set up an unauthorised encampment?
Legal action will most likely result in a civil court order for possession, which will be posted at the site and enforcement will follow. If private landowners act under Common Law, eviction can be very swift and bailiffs can be present within hours. Whilst trespass is a civil offence, if the group’s behaviour goes against the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, or if there is evidence of criminal activity, Cambridgeshire Police can take action.
Local Authority Sites
You can apply to go on the waiting list on any of the local authority sites in Cambridgeshire:
- Fenland (5 sites) Tel. 01354 654321
- East Cambridgeshire (3 sites) Tel. 01353 616259
- South Cambridgeshire (2 sites) Tel. 01954 713346
- Huntingdonshire (1 site) Tel. 01480 396611.
There are limited places and usually a long waiting list.
Private Sites
You can seek guidance from the District Planning Departments:
- Cambridge City Council Tel. 01223 457200
- East Cambridgeshire Tel. 01353 616209
- South Cambridgeshire Tel. 01954 713168
- Fenland Tel. 01354 622366
- Huntingdonshire Tel. 01480 388424
You can also call the Community Law Partnership on Tel. 0845 1202980, the Royal Planning Institute Tel. 020 76369107, or Planning Aid Tel. 0870 8509801 for advice.
Housing
For free advice contact the Cambridge City Council Housing Advice Team on Tel. 01223 457934/5/6.
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