A group of travellers have established an unauthorised encampment on Burndell Recreation Ground in Yapton, prompting action from the parish council and contact with West Sussex police and county council officers.
Council begins eviction process
Arun district councillor Amanda Worne, who chairs Yapton Parish Council, said the visitors arrived on the evening of Friday 24 July. The parish clerk has begun the formal steps to have the caravans removed, with West Sussex County Council expected to issue the necessary eviction paperwork if the group do not leave voluntarily.
Councillor Worne told residents she and the police visited the site on Saturday to speak with those on the field and issued a verbal notice of eviction, citing an unlawful entry and trespass on land managed by the parish council.
“On behalf of the parish council, we are aware of the situation with travellers on our green and our clerk has started the process to have them moved on,”
She described the meeting as "all very civilised" and said the group informed her they intended to leave by 28 July, the date when the car park will be closed for drainage works. Councillor Worne asked that the travellers keep the area tidy and said they had told her they would use bin bags and a contained fireplace rather than making open fires on the grass.
What happens next
The parish council expects the majority of unauthorised encampments to depart without the need for further legal measures, but has made clear that written eviction notices from West Sussex County Council will follow if the group remain. Residents were thanked for their patience while the matter is dealt with.
- Location: Burndell Recreation Ground, Main Road, Yapton
- Arrival: Evening of Friday 24 July
- Requested departure: By 28 July, coinciding with car park closure
The park is managed by Yapton Parish Council and provides open green space, recreation facilities and local walking routes. Unauthorised encampments can raise concerns about safety, access and damage to community property; councils typically follow a staged approach combining negotiation, notices and legal steps if needed.
| Authority | Role in response |
|---|---|
| Yapton Parish Council | Manage the land; issued verbal notice; initiated removal process |
| West Sussex County Council | Will issue written eviction notice if required |
| Police | Accompanied councillor to speak with the travellers |
There have been recent reports of other unauthorised encampments in the area, including one at Rosemead Park near The Littlehampton Academy earlier in the week. For now, the parish council says it hopes the group will depart as indicated so residents can return to normal use of the recreation ground.
If you have immediate concerns about safety or criminal activity at the site, contact the police on the usual non-emergency number or dial 999 if it is an emergency. For other enquiries about the park or the council’s actions, Yapton Parish Council is the point of contact.
