Nottinghamshire County Council say residents’ concerns a ‘priority’ after Travellers pull up on Newark play area

A council has said residents’ concerns and safety are a priority, after a large number of caravans pulled up on a play area.

A large group of Travellers parked up on Collis Close play area, off Beacon Hill Road, Newark, over the weekend.

A number of caravans and other vehicles have been parked on the site since, although are said to have told authorities they do not intent to remain there long.

Residents have raised concerns about rubbish and human faeces being dumped in the area, as well as facing abuse from those in the encampment.

The play area is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council, but it does not manage the site.

A Nottinghamshire County Council spokesman said: “We have been made aware of this Traveller encampment which is on land owned by us.

“Our priority is the safety of those who use this play area and the concerns of local residents in the immediate area. We are liaising with our partners, Newark and Sherwood District Council, in terms of assessing the health and welfare of those living on the encampment.

“While we have been made aware by the Travellers themselves that they are not intending to remain in-situ for long and are passing through the area, we will look to find the best resolution.

“There are civil powers available to us for removal of encampments where appropriate.”

A Newark and Sherwood District Council spokesman said: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Collis Close in Newark.

“On Monday we undertook appropriate welfare checks and passed all the information to Nottinghamshire County Council on the same day.

“Despite other correspondence and to clear up any misunderstanding, this land is not owned by us but is owned by Nottinghamshire County Council and licensed to Newark Town Council. We understand, as the landowner, Nottinghamshire County Council will be taking the appropriate legal steps to ensure the site is vacated.

“For any queries, please contact Nottinghamshire County Council for further information.

“The district council will do a full clean-up of the site once the area has been vacated, to ensure it is returned how residents would expect to find it.

“Should residents have concerns about criminal activity, they should report this to Nottinghamshire Police.”