Van man is parked on our land.. but we still can’t ban him
Family’s fury after council admits it owns road where truck driver is living
Due to Covid, officers have not been able to monitor the area
A family who have had a man living in a van outside their home for three years have demanded a council remove him af ter it admitted owning the land.
Andy Calvert has been in the same spot outside a house in Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, occupied by Cameron Weir, 46, and his mum Sheila, 71.
Cameron and Sheila claim a wood burner used by the 58- year- old ex-soldier causes fumes to pour into their house and back garden.
South Lanarkshire Council said it was powerless to intervene because the van sat on an unadopted road.
The family have now been informed by the local authority that it does own the land.
However, off icials say due to Covid-19 restrictions they can’t monitor the site to determine if Andy is causing a nuisance.
Cameron said: “For so long we were told it was an unadopted road that the council didn’t own.
“The council have finally admitted that it is theirs and they have the authority to move Andy.
“Then we were told they couldn’t act because of the Covid restrictions – but they could have acted long before now.
“It’s incredibly frustrating.” Andy, who has been parked in his spot since August 2017, blamed the council for his housing issues and said he would not be moving.
He added: “This started when the council evicted me from my flat because I fell behind on rent. I had nowhere to go but my van.
“I have nothing against Cameron or Sheila.
“But if I take a flat the council offer, I’ll be back to square one with all the outstanding arrears from the last flat to pay. So until the council can offer me help, I’m not going anywhere.”
Long- distance lorry dr iver Andy has kitted out his van with a double bed, a TV, a fridge and wood panelling for insulation.
He uses a gas ring to cook, has a chemical toilet and showers at work.
Andy admitted the wood burner he bought for £ 50 from eBay was “smokey at f irst” but claims it is better now.
The van has batteries for power, two gas canisters and solar panels.
A South Lanarkshire Council spokesman said Andy had been provided with housing advice.
He added: “We are aware of the current situation and can confirm that the vehicle in question is located on South Lanarkshire Council land on an unregulated parking area which is used by many residents in the area for various vehicles.
“It is situated outwith the boundary of Mr and Mrs Weir’s property. The council’s legal position remains that there is insufficient evidence to treat this matter as an unlawful encampment.
“During the current Covid-19 situation, officers have been unable to monitor the area regularly, however, as restrictions ease, officers will again be able to carry out such site visits.”