Gypsies and Irish Travellers are recorded as living in this country as early as the beginning of the 15th Century.

Planning Law defines Gypsies and Irish Travellers as people with a nomadic way of life and whilst this is historically true, 90% of Gypsies across the world now live in houses.

Even where Gypsies and Travellers do live in houses, their culture and heritage stays with them. The romantic view of Horse Drawn Caravans and living in ‘Yurts’ or ‘Benders’, (type of tent) has long since passed. These days, they use modern vehicles and trailers (caravans).

In Torbay, there are no sites which travellers can use to set up camp, temporarily or permanently. Torbay Council works with partners across health, the police, education and the courts to manage sites of unauthorised encampment on public land.

A tight process must be followed to determine the needs of the travellers and those of the community to come to a satisfactory conclusion If no agreement can be reached between the council and the travellers on a practical, reasonable and timely date to vacate premises, then Torbay Council will apply to the Courts for a repossession order.

Regular updates on the management of sites will be available online as required, visit our Travellers Update page for the latest information.