Travellers banned from land owned by Newark and Sherwood District Council

Four Travellers and their associates have been banned from land in Newark owned by a council.

Newark and Sherwood District Council obtained an injunction against the Travellers after illegal encampments were set up on playing fields at Lincoln Road, Chestnut Avenue, Bowbridge Road, Clay Lane and Sconce and Devon Park since May.

Residents staged a peaceful protest at Lincoln Road last month after the Travellers returned for a third time over the summer.

The two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction was granted at Nottingham County Court against John Buck snr, Donna Buck, Davey Stewart and John Buck jnr, all of no fixed abode, and persons unknown.

It covers council-owned land in the Bridge, Castle, Magnus, Devon and Beacon wards.

The injunction states the Travellers are forbidden from entering the land, causing a nuisance and threatening violence or abuse — or encouraging others to do so.

The council’s director of safety, Karen White, said: “The council and police have dedicated a significant amount of time in dealing with this group and have, at all times, worked promptly and appropriately, following the due legal process, in obtaining this injunction. Ultimately these actions have proved effective.

“Since May, this group has been moving around the Newark area, forcing entry onto council-owned land and staying there without our permission.

“These sites are for the recreational use of the public and our local communities, and are totally unsuitable for such unauthorised encampments.

Karen White said the sites were left requiring a clean-up and reports of public nuisance, damage and anti-social behaviour were made to the council.

“The group told us they wanted to stay in Newark because they have work,” she said.

“They were offered advice and assistance regarding licensed Traveller sites available in the area. Regrettably, they chose not to follow this advice.”

It is not known where the group is.