Travellers move on to Carnival Field

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A group of travellers who set up camp on Council owned land adjacent to the A34 Wilmslow bypass have moved on, leaving piles of rubble and rubbish behind them.

They spent a couple of weeks camped in a field close to Wilmslow High School and were issued with a notice to leave by Monday, 1st July.

However, we have been contacted by a number of concerned residents as the same group of travellers have now set up camp on Carnival Field, off Altrincham Road.

One local resident contacted us this morning to ask what action is being taken by the Council to move them on and why the gates had been left unlocked when travellers were already in the area by Wilmslow High School?

He said "They arrived yesterday late afternoon (03/07/13) as the gates were open. They are very noisy and are causing great concern to the neighbours. There are lots of properties that literally back on to the fields with the primary school and children's scout hut adjacent."

Wilmslow Police are aware that there are currently a number of traveller's caravans parked on Carnival Field, which they told us started accessing the field at around 4.40pm on Wednesday, 3rd July.

Sgt Andy Miller said "Patrols have visited the location on a regular basis to monitor the situation and ensure there are no public order issues.

"A notice of direction to move is being sought and will be served on the group. The process of obtaining the notice normally takes a few days. In most cases those served with the notice leave the land just as their time limit expires. If not, they are removed by the council and police officers.

"The current encampment is being monitored regulary and we will endeavour to keep local residents informed and bring this situation to a conclusion by going through the correct legal processes."

Tags:
Carnival Field, Cheshire East Council, Sergeant Andy Miler, Travellers, Wilmslow High School
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Mario West
Thursday 4th July 2013 at 6:01 pm
One of the new residents has already climbed the fence and tried to steal some items from Gorsey Bank School (WFA kit and a bag of compost).
Jo Byars
Friday 5th July 2013 at 11:23 pm
More caravans have arrived, two are parked at the end of my garden, I can actually see into the caravans and they can see into my house. My privacy is being invaded, not to mention all the public and recreational space lost. I saw a woman throw a rubbish bag Under a tree and dread to think of how sanitation is being dealt with. Dogs running around, loud music and now their generators mean I can't sleep, so I'm in the spare again at the front of the house. I don't want to be at the back of our house, where we normally spend all of our time. I'm avoiding being in the kitchen and garden now, this is not how I want to live. I can't find any information online anywhere about what is being done or how long it will take. Does anyone know?

I have a random idea. Why don't the council lock the gate back up and lock them in? They then can't leave to go to work or go shopping. I have just realised I sound like my mother now and a bit of a nimby, but this is our public recreation space, much used and loved by residents, now totally out of bounds.

Rant over, I'm very fed up!
Brendan Norton
Saturday 6th July 2013 at 4:33 pm
Jo, you have my sympathies. You or anyone shouldn't have to put up with it. It all seems to be an "unmentionable subject" for fear of being branded discriminatory - hence the very few comments from people. I would just be happy for the law to be seen to be applied equally and fairly to all citizens. The "mess" left at the School site is clearly rubble from building and road works that has been dumped to avoid paying landfill tax. Who knows, possibly straight off the roads we all recently paid to have resurfaced around Altrincham Road!

The only information I've found is linked to below. You/we might be waiting a couple of weeks at least:

http://bit.ly/14Vtf89

However, in the spirit of democracy, they also provide an opportunity for you suggest sites to be considered for Gypsy and Traveller and Travelling Showpersons uses. How about this one?

Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, CW11 1HZ
Mario West
Sunday 7th July 2013 at 10:26 am
Been there. Done that! http://bit.ly/jiLGXN
Jo Byars
Sunday 7th July 2013 at 6:55 pm
It does need immediate action, and I hope the council are taking that. The carnival field is not an old disused piece of industrial land, it is a park, used by numerous football clubs for matches and training, dog walkers, cubs and scouts, children playing cricket, rounders, football, climbing trees and its now out of bounds to everyone. They might as well park up in the Carrs! I wonder how quick the council would act if they did.
Gretchen Dyson
Friday 12th July 2013 at 1:28 pm
Today we received a letter from Cheshire East announcing the Secretary of State has received an appeal re:the twice-refused gypsy pitch application no. 12/4247M on land off Moor Lane, Wilmslow. Sharing the publicity/press coverage of the invasion of our high school and carnival fields with the Secretary of State might be a good idea.