Travellers asked to move on from Chichester park

Travellers arrived in Florence Park last week with more than a dozen campervans and caravans parked on the green space.

The group has now been asked to leave the area, a district council spokesperson has said, and legal action is being taken.

A spokesperson for Chichester District Council said: “We are aware that a group of travellers have moved onto Florence Park in Chichester and we are working with our partners at West Sussex County Council and Sussex Police to resolve this as quickly as possible. A notice to direct the group to leave has been given and legal action is currently being taken.”

Friends, Families and Travellers, a charity devoted to protecting the rights of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, said there is a ‘significant national shortage’ of places for nomadic Gypsies and Travellers to legally stop.

The newly enacted Police Act 2022 came into force last year, which means people who live on roadside camps may now face time in prison, fine or their home confiscated.

Last month councils across the country were given a share of £10M to improve traveller sites. The nearest council to receive any funding was Brighton and Hove City Council.

West Sussex County Council owns and manages nine permanent Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites across the county.

The locations include: Adversane, Billingshurst; Cousins Copse, Five Oaks near Horsham; Easthampnett, near Tangmere; New Fairplace Hill, Burgess Hill; Little Horsgate, Cuckfield; Ryebank, Yapton; Walstead, Haywards Heath; Westbourne and New Withy Park, near Lancing.