Conservative lawmakers have accused Labour ministers of neglecting a significant increase in illegal traveller encampments across England, following the release of recent figures indicating a record number of caravans pitched on unauthorized sites. The opposition argues that the current government is not adequately addressing a new strategy employed to secure these pitches despite planning violations.
According to reports, groups have been purchasing land and rapidly developing it over weekends and bank holidays, when local planning authorities are typically closed. This tactic allows them to seek retrospective planning permission after the sites have been established, often on greenfield land that has been paved over. This practice has drawn particular criticism following a 2024 High Court ruling that overturned a measure aimed at curbing unauthorized sites, citing conflicts with European human rights laws. Additionally, stand-alone rules governing traveler site placement have been integrated into the National Planning Policy Framework, a move the Conservatives contend weakens protections for the countryside.
Shadow communities secretary James Cleverly stated that Labour ministers have "buried their heads in the sand" regarding the rise in illegal encampments. He further criticized Labour for what he described as "ripping up protections for the countryside" introduced by the Conservatives, asserting that this has led to an increase in illegal camps set up during periods when authorities are less likely to intervene. Cleverly characterized Labour's approach as "soft-touch" and a "disaster," advocating for a plan to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to enhance community protection and end a perceived "two-tier approach to traveller lawbreaking."
Official statistics released earlier this month revealed a 23% increase in caravans parked without planning permission in the year leading up to January, now constituting approximately 17% of all encampments. The number of residential vehicles on land not owned by travelers also surged by 81%, pushing the total number of caravans in England to over 29,000, the highest recorded since 1979.
In 2024, the High Court blocked legislation passed by the previous Conservative government in 2022 that would have empowered police to ban travelers from an area for up to 12 months. The court found the law discriminatory and incompatible with the ECHR due to its disproportionate impact on travelers. More recently, a Labour amendment to the Crime and Policing Act reduced the ban period to three months, a change welcomed by the charity Friends, Families and Travellers as a "major win for gypsy and traveller communities."
One notable instance highlighted by the Conservatives involved a site in James Cleverly's Essex constituency. This site was reportedly established over the May bank holiday weekend, with families retroactively applying for planning permission. A High Court judge described the construction as a "rapid-action, pitch-building operation with heavy machinery," appearing to be a "let's-do-it-quick-before-the-council-catches-us operation," as there was no evidence of habitation at the site during its initial rapid development.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has acknowledged that the government has not specifically assessed the implications of such weekend developments or explored enhanced collaboration between police and councils to address them. He stated that "The government expects local planning authorities to work proactively and collaboratively with other agencies to respond to unauthorised encampments and development."
Simultaneously, plans are underway to reduce the frequency of data collection on traveller sites. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government intends to consolidate the official Count of Traveller Caravans into a single annual event, down from the current twice-yearly count. A government spokesperson stated that while they "do not accept" criticism of their stance, the responsibility for finding space for travelers lies with local councils. The spokesperson added that "Illegal sites and unauthorised encampments are completely unacceptable and the planning changes we're making will help to tackle them by ensuring councils must have a proper plan for traveller sites."