Council to act on travellers camp

Council officers will take action after an unauthorised camp was set up by travelling people at Paisley’s St James’ Playing Fields.

It is understood that the travellers set up camp just before 11pm on Wednesday and were still there yesterday.

One 62-year-old resident, who lives near the field, said people had been concerned because of the travellers cars and trucks being parked on the grassy area.

“They’ve been driving about on the grass,” he said.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “We have been informed that an unauthorised encampment/ transit site has been set up at St James playing fields.

“Officers have visited the site and the appropriate action will be taken in line with Scottish Government guidelines.”

The Scottish Government recommends local authority officials endeavour to visit an unauthorised site within two working days of becoming aware of it.

The main aim of the first visit, the guidelines say, is to establish a working relationship with the travelling group with a view to successfully managing the unauthorised site, and to gather information about the site’s location, the nature and size of the traveller group, and their needs and future intentions.

The guidelines add that decisions taken about managing an unauthorised site must take account of various factors.

Thes include evidence of any nuisance or damage being caused by the unauthorised site should be weighed against the needs of the travellers on the site, particularly any health and welfare needs that have been identified.

All decisions should be based on the evidence available and in light of the specific circumstances of each site, the guidelines add.

Police Scotland says that if anyone has concerns of any illegal behaviour at the site, then they should get in touch with them.