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The occurrence of unauthorised Gypsy and traveller sites has been increasing, with many developments reportedly taking place during Bank Holiday weekends. Since April, there have been notable transformations of sites in counties such as Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire. These changes have triggered legal disputes and caused concern among local communities.
At the beginning of this year, data showed that the number of unauthorised traveller caravans across England reached 4,950, marking a significant 73% rise compared to the 2,860 counted in January 2020. Similar upward trends appear in the summer figures, which indicate a 44% growth between July 2019 and July 2025, increasing from 3,113 to 4,471 unauthorised caravans. A senior local councillor from an affected region expressed alarm over the situation, describing it as a “loss of control” regarding the local planning system. Meanwhile, residents living near a newly established site have compared its rapid setup to a “military operation.”
The government maintains that any unauthorised developments are “totally unacceptable,” adding that councils are equipped with “strong powers” to address such issues. Nonetheless, Cliff Codona, founder and chair of the National Travellers’ Action Group, presents a contrasting view. He argues that the planning system acts as a “big dagger in their back,” forcing many travellers into illegal activities because they have no legal alternatives available.
Matthew Green, a planning consultant involved in a 2023 planning inquiry on behalf of residents near one of these sites, points out that councils could use injunctions to remove occupants who ignore enforcement notices. However, he raises a crucial question: “if they go somewhere, where do they go?” He explains that councils have a responsibility to provide a sufficient number of authorised pitches within their areas to meet the needs of local travellers. Indeed, a February report within Basildon highlighted a significant “shortfall” in suitable Gypsy and traveller sites, compounded by the borough’s failure to update its local plan since 1999. This has even led to intervention from the housing minister. Analysts have projected that by 2042, Basildon will require enough authorised pitches to accommodate 302 Gypsy and traveller households. From April 2023 to February 2026, only 31 new pitches have received planning permission, highlighting the ongoing challenges in meeting demand
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