Information held on Travellers in playing fields at Old School Lane.
Case reference FOI2025/00808
Received 13 April 2025
Published 12 May 2025
Request
You may or may not be aware that Travellers once again managed to gain access to the playing area next to Old School Lane.
They stayed there for 5 days and then left Saturday to set up at Belmont Abbey sports field. As I went past the playing field today I stopped to look at the mess they had left behind. Rubbish. Black bin bags etc.
My question is:
Who pays to clear up the mess they leave behind?
What action has the council taken against those that made the mess?
Who paid to clear up the mess last time?
What action was taken against the travellers last time?
Did the council file crime reports with the Police for the damage/theft of the locks that are usually there to prevent unlawful access?
Response
You may or may not be aware that Travellers once again managed to gain access to the playing area next to Old School Lane.
They stayed there for 5 days and then left Saturday to set up at Belmont Abbey sports field. As I went past the playing field today I stopped to look at the mess they had left behind. Rubbish. Black bin bags etc.
My question is:
Who pays to clear up the mess they leave behind?
Answer: Herefordshire Council.
What action has the council taken against those that made the mess?
Answer: Unfortunately, without there being clear evidence to identify specific individuals littering/fly tipping being carried out, it is not possible to carry out formal enforcement action.
Who paid to clear up the mess last time?
Answer: Herefordshire Council
What action was taken against the travellers last time?
Answer: In relation to littering/fly tipping on the land after travellers vacated last time (13.06.2023) the answer is as per question 2.
Did the council file crime reports with the Police for the damage/theft of the locks that are usually there to prevent unlawful access?
Answer: No there was nothing filed for the damage.
Documents
This is Herefordshire Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.