Many unauthorised encampments are by roadsides, on highways and in lay-bys. Where the land is the responsibility of Essex County Council the responsibility for the encampment lies with Essex County Council. There is a Code for Travellers in Essex that allows small encampments to remain for up to 28 days, subject to certain conditions. If you have any concerns relating to a roadside encampment, or an encampment on Essex County Council land, contact the Gypsy and Traveller Services team. 

 

Where an unauthorised encampment is on land owned by a district or parish council, or where the land is owned by the Gypsy/Traveller but they do not have the necessary planning permission to reside there, responsibility for that site lies with the district council. Some district councils within Essex subscribe to the same Code for Travellers as Essex County Council but you should contact your local district council to seek further advice.

 

Where an unauthorised encampment is on private land, it is the responsibility of the landowner to take the appropriate action. If, as the landowner, you are considering taking action, you should initially contact the local district council for advice. Technically, an unauthorised site on private land is subject to the laws of trespass, which is a civil matter, but district councils may be able to offer further guidance. 

 

If there is an unauthorised site on private land where the landowner is unknown, the local district council should again be contacted, as they may be able to contact the registered landowner through the land registry records. It is then the decision of the landowner how to act.