Council commences civil action for traveler camp at leisure centre

Fareham Borough Council says it is “taking steps to regain possession of the land” after a group of travelers were seen setting up camp in the grounds of a leisure centre.

It was reported in the Echo on Tuesday that a group of travelers had been set up on the site of Fareham’s largest leisure centre.

Run by leisure center operator Everyone Active, Fareham Leisure Center on Park Lane is one of the busiest centers in Hampshire and is owned by Fareham Borough Council.

Arriving on Sunday, a large group from the traveling community is currently parked in the car park at Fareham Leisure Centre.

In response, Hampshire Police said it would step up patrols in the area as the council tries to “regain possession of the land”.

Fareham Borough Council issued a statement on Wednesday detailing its plans to deal with the traveling group.

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A spokesman for Fareham Borough Council said: “The group arrived at the Fareham Leisure Center site on the evening of Sunday 9 June.

“The Council’s enforcement team attended the location and later sent the group a letter to opt out of Section 77.

“The council is liaising with the police and has commenced civil proceedings to regain possession of our land.”

When it dealt with Traveler camps on council-owned land, the authority said that if Travelers caused problems they would be moved on as soon as reasonably possible.

Nationally, if travelers set up on council-owned land, the group will be instructed to leave immediately by a council officer.

In all cases, whether the site is privately owned or council owned, the site is visited by the council and every effort is made to ensure that travelers keep the site tidy and do not cause public health problems.

The council will then look at preventative measures for the vacated site to try to prevent travelers from returning to the site at a later date.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We were called shortly after 8.30pm on Monday 10 June to an unauthorized encampment of three caravans in the Fareham Leisure Center car park on Park Lane.

“We assist Fareham Borough Council as the landlord and lead authority.

“The neighborhood policing team continues to engage with all parties involved and carry out regular patrols in the area to ensure all concerns from all communities involved are addressed.”