Travellers have set up camp in a Birmingham park – after they were blocked from entering another recreation ground due to ‘beefed up security’.
Formal eviction proceedings are now underway following the arrival of a convoy of caravans and other vehicles into Sheldon Country Park on Saturday.
The green space, just over two miles away from neighbouring Gilberstone Recreational Ground, has been the site of ‘multiple incursions’ over the years.
Councillor Colin Green said improving security in other grounds had ‘just displaced activity elsewhere’ – after measures were put in place to stop unlawful access at Gilberstone Park.
Mr Green explained: ‘Residents of Sheldon reported to us on Saturday that travellers had set up a camp on Sheldon Country Park. They gained entrance to the park at the Horseshoes Lane entrance.
‘There have been several camps on Gilbertstone Recreation Area recently, and the parks managers have beefed up security to keep vehicles out.
‘Improving security at one site just displaces activity elsewhere.’
Householders in the area have since taken to social media to question how exactly the travellers gained access to the 300-acre grounds.
Formal eviction proceedings are now underway following the arrival of a convoy of caravans and other vehicles into Sheldon Country Park (pictured) on Saturday
Councillor Colin Green said improving security elsewhere had ‘just displaced activity elsewhere’
Householders in the area have since taken to social media to question how exactly the travellers gained access to the 300-acre grounds
The council insisted it is ‘committed to actively protecting its land’ – adding it would ‘take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach it’.
Sheldon Country Park’s website describes the grounds as a ‘great example of a “countryside in the city” experience with trees, flowers and a farm right next to a busy airport’.
It adds: ‘[The park] covers 300 acres and contains grassland, wetland, old hedgerows and mature woodland.
‘The 17th century Old Rectory Farm, a former dairy farm within the park, has been superbly restored and now functions as a demonstration farm showcasing traditional methods of farming.
‘The facility, run by park rangers on behalf of Birmingham City Council, is free and open all year, with Jersey cattle, pigs, goats, geese and ponies. Seasonal activities are organised at the farm by the rangers.’
In a separate incident, the Daily Mail last week revealed a group of suspected travellers had ‘destroyed’ fields next to an A-list Berkshire wedding venue – which has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill to Liam Gallagher.
The encampment, which locals fear could become ‘permanent’, saw dozens of caravans and old cars ‘dumped’ in a field opposite the luxurious £500-a-night Cliveden House hotel.
Locals complained of cars and vehicles visiting both fields ‘at all hours’, constant noise, and it making the area look ‘really ugly’.
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Travellers set up camp in Birmingham park after ‘beefed up security’ stops them getting into recreation ground