Today, Conservative Glastonbury Town Councillors and Somerset Unitary Councillors have written to express growing concern regarding the increasing number of travellers squatting in and around the areas of Glastonbury, Street, Baltonsborough and Butleigh and call for the Police and Crime Commissioner and MP to attend a meeting of residents to discuss the issue and request prompt action.
This issue is escalating and has become a significant point of anxiety for local residents and businesses, who have reported feeling increasingly uneasy as the situation persists. There are now an estimated 300 people living in caravans and other dwellings creating no-go areas for local residents.
Recently, a similar situation in the Memorial Car Park in Wincanton was swiftly and effectively addressed. The travellers there were relocated in a timely manner, ensuring that the disruption to the local community was minimised.
We understand that the management of such situations can be complex, and we appreciate the challenges faced by law enforcement and local authorities in addressing these issues. However, the disparity in response between Wincanton and the Glastonbury-Street area has led to concerns among our constituents that their community is being overlooked or that their concerns are not being given the same level of priority.
“We are nearing the end of term of the current Public Space Protection Order which is meant to help address this issue, but it simply hasn’t been enforced. We need to ensure it is renewed and all authorities work at a cross party solution” Lil Osborne, Glastonbury Town Councillor
Signatures in alphabetical order include:
- Glastonbury Town Councillor Rik Cook
- Somerset Unitary Councillor Susannah Hart
- Glastonbury Town Councillor Terry Napper
- Glastonbury Town Councillor Lillith Osborne
- Somerset Unitary Councillor Tom Power
- Somerset Unitary Councillor Lucy Trimnell
Notes:
- In 2022 the then Mendip Council approved a Public Space Protection Order to help address issues relating to the volume of unauthorised encampments within Glastonbury and neighbouring areas.
- This Public Space Protection Order is coming up for renewal in October 2025, however the current one has not been properly implemented by the Liberal Democrats controlled Somerset Unitary Council.
- Last year Somerset Live reported "There are up to 300 people living in non-bricks and mortar (NBM) dwellings, including roadside and caravan dwellers - all in non-regularised areas which creates social, health, traffic congestion and economic challenges for a small town.”
- Part of the Glastonbury Town Deal included an "enabling project" involving creating a safe area for the "non-bricks and mortar community" to live. The site identified is not suitable as it floods and further sites have not been agreed.
