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).

Gypsies and Travellers are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Human Rights Act 1998, together with all ethnic groups who have a particular culture, language or values.

There are no sites designated for encampment in Torbay, temporarily or permanently. and no encampment can take place without the expressed landowner's permission.  

Torbay Council works with partners across health, the police, education and the courts to manage sites of unauthorised encampment on public land.