Update on the Chiseldon First Transient Travellers site

Mike Ash, Acting Corporate Director, Communities and Housing , Swindon Borough Council attended the Environment, General Purpose and Amenities Parish Council meeting on Monday 19^th February. Mike provided an update to the meeting on the latest improvement to security at the Chiseldon Firs Transient Travellers site.

 Security  upgrade:

At the entrance to the site a series of larger concrete blocks each weighing 2.8 tonnes have been put in place , the blocks are bolted together to create a continuous barrier . The current blocks each weigh 2 tonnes have also been left in place. This forms a double layer of barriers to the site from the A346.

A trench has also been dug  in the surrounding area to prevent access to the site via the fields. The landowner has also agreed to  dig a trench on their side of the fence line. Additional security is also being placed on site.

 Relevance of the site:

The Borough Council must legally retain a transient traveller site within the Borough.  For legal entries a deposit is paid, and proof of ID taken.  Most legal entries stay for 2-4 weeks and move on without issue.

The most recent entries were illegal entries and SBC work with the police, the courts and the Parish Council to get a possession order to allow them to reclaim the land.  This is assuming mediation is not successful.

 Site condition and appearance:

Following the recent illegal occupation of the the Firs site SBC has carried out a full clean up of all rubbish, abandoned vehicles and skips have been removed. The toilet block is also being repaired

Keeping the Community informed:

Mike Ash and his team will continue to provide the Parish Council with regular updates and information on the Firs Site, including any new occupants, legal or illegal.

Community feedback:  

if residents observe any activity on the Firs travellers site , please notify the Parish Clerk and the police immediately , please don’t assume that by posting a notice on the Chiseldon Parish Facebook site it will automatically be picked up by the local authority . This Facebook site is not administered by the Parish Council.