Dear Residents,
We are pleased to inform you that the group of travellers who had recently occupied Holyport Green have now left the site.
The Council followed all due legal process regarding their removal. A court order was lodged; however, due to delays within the judicial system, a hearing could not be scheduled until 25 July. This delay was unfortunately outside the Council’s control, owing to the heavy caseload within the courts.
This was the first unauthorised encampment on Holyport Green since 2019. In recent years, stronger legal protections have been introduced to ensure that the human rights of all individuals, including members of the travelling community, are respected.
The Council listened to the concerns raised by residents and took action accordingly. Bailiffs were instructed for removal of the encampment on Wednesday 10 July. However, we are pleased to report that the travellers left voluntarily prior to enforcement action being taken, meaning the cost of bailiffs was ultimately not incurred.
Throughout their stay, the Council remained in daily communication with the travellers. We can confirm that the group made efforts to maintain the site responsibly: litter was bagged daily, and on their final day, the travellers’ children took part in a litter pick.
There have been a number of reports made regarding alleged criminal damage. These reports were investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. The Police were kept fully informed throughout and provided residents with clear guidance on how to report any incidents appropriately.
The Council is committed to being a tolerant, inclusive, and non-discriminatory authority. By maintaining an approach grounded in communication and legal process, we were able to manage the situation effectively while minimising disruption.
At its next meeting, the Council will be discussing what further measures may be required to protect Holyport Green and all its open space sites from future unauthorised encampments. We will continue to keep residents informed of any developments.
Please note that the Parish Council does not monitor or engage with commentary on local Facebook pages. For any official queries or concerns, residents are asked to contact the Parish Office directly. Contact details can be found on our website. https://brayparishcouncil.gov.uk/
Finally, we would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding throughout this matter. We acknowledge the concern this may have caused and sincerely apologise for any distress.
We hope you have a pleasant weekend.
Bray Parish Council
