Unauthorised Bristol caravan encampment set to become council-permitted site

A Bristol site that is currently occupied by an unauthorised caravan encampment is set to become permitted by the council.

Bristol City Council has proposed using the demolished Lockleaze Day Centre site on Gainsborough Square in Lockleaze on a temporary basis for van dwellers, providing 14 pitches.

In a letter to nearby residents, the council says it is currently finalising arrangements and hopes to open the site officially in the New Year for an initial period of six months.

There are long-term plans to develop the land for housing. In 2021, plans for ‘extra care housing’ with up to 60 one and two-bedroom flats on site were approved.

In the letter, the council says: “As you may be aware, the former Lockleaze Day Centre site close to your property has been closed and empty for a long time, and the site is regularly used for dumping fly tipped waste. 

“It is unlikely that any building or development work will take place for some time, so we want to start using the area again to prevent any further misuse of the land.

“As part of our ongoing ambition to provide affordable housing and reduce homelessness across the city, we are proposing to use this site on a temporary basis for vehicle dwellers, initially for a period of about six months. 

“This will replace the unauthorised encampment that is currently occupying the site with a managed and structured alternative.”  

A small number of caravans are believed to have got into the site of the former Lockleaze Day Centre a couple of weeks ago and have been there since.   

A Bristol City Council spokesperson told BristolWorld: “We have written to local residents to inform them of our plans to use the former Lockleaze Day Centre site as a meanwhile site for vehicle dwellers. 

“There are plans to use the land for development in the future, but in the meantime, we are proposing to use this site on a temporary basis for vehicle dwellers, giving them a safe and secure place to live. We initially plan to use the site, which will have 14 pitches, for six months. 

“This will replace the unauthorised encampment that is currently occupying the site, with a managed and structured alternative. We believe it will also stop the site being a fly tipping hot spot. 

“People using the site will all have to sign up to a conduct agreement before being given a place. It is hoped that having people living in a managed environment on the site will help to provide security to this otherwise cut off area. With that in mind, it is hoped that the site will have a very limited impact on the local area.  

“We submitted a planning application for this site earlier this month, and local residents will be able to have their say as part of this process. If successful, we hope to open the site in the New Year. Once open, we will regularly monitor the site for issues to make sure there is no negative impact on the local area.”