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Travellers

The council's cabinet has approved a preferred site for the provision of a permanent gypsy and travellers site with up to 14 pitches, within the former BMX site off Wilson Avenue, East Brighton. 

Traveller Strategy

Travellers in Brighton & Hove 

Nomadic groups have existed in this country for hundreds of years, but as urban areas have expanded, the traditional stopping places for Travellers and Gypsies have diminished. This has pushed them closer to the settled community and into higher profile areas. In addition, their traditional employment is in decline.

Brighton & Hove is mainly visited by Irish Travellers, English Gypsies and New Travellers. Nomadic life is not illegal, and travellers have a basic right to this way of life.  The council recognises that this has to be balanced with the rights of the general public to enjoy private and public land.

As a response to the large numbers of  travellers visiting the city, the council opened the Horsdean Traveller Site in August 1999. This is one of the few transit sites for Travellers in the country

The council has recently carried out a consultation exercise on traveller pitch numbers

Traveller Liaison

Service update – last updated on Monday 30 August

  • Unauthorised encampment of Travellers and Gypsies in the car park at Black Rock, Madeira Drive – We will be visiting this site with Police as soon as possible to carry out a community impact assessment in order to determine the most appropriate course of action.
  • Unauthorised encampment of Travellers and Gypsies on land at 19 Acres, adjacent to Saddlescombe Road – We will be visiting this site with Police as soon as possible to carry out a community impact assessment in order to determine the most appropriate course of action.
  • Unauthorised encampment of van dwellers on land at 39 Acres, adjacent to Ditchling Road – We have visited this site with Police and we are now seeking to obtain possession of this land.
  • Unauthorised encampment of van dwellers on land adjacent to Varley Halls of Residence, Coldean Lane – An eviction of a large group of van dwellers took place on Friday 13 August, however, due to adverse family circumstances a number of households remain on site. Whilst these encampments remain we will continue to monitor the sites with the Police.

Since 2001, Brighton & Hove City Council and the police have been working in partnership to manage the unauthorised traveller encampments within the city, and minimise conflict and nuisance.

Traveller Liaison services include:

  • liaison with the settled community     
  • provision of advice and support to landowners and the public     
  • management of the Horsdean Traveller Site     
  • support in helping travellers access services such as health and education

The Traveller Liason Service has teachers and home or school support staff who can help with attendance issues and supporting gypsy or traveller children whilst they are in schools

To contact the Traveller Liaison Team, please phone (01273) 292044 or email travellers@brighton-hove.gov.uk.


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