Travellers Occupy Sheldon Country Park as Easter Holidays Commence
A group of travellers has established an encampment at Sheldon Country Park in Birmingham, coinciding with the start of the Easter school holidays. The Friends of Sheldon Country Park reported the arrival on Facebook, noting that the travellers moved onto the main car park over the weekend.
Impact on Park Facilities and Visitor Access
As a direct result of the encampment, the park's toilets have been closed to visitors throughout the holiday period. The Friends group advised that while the site's farm remains open for Easter visits, the toilet closures are in effect due to the unauthorised occupation.
Images from the scene depict caravans and other vehicles parked across the car park area. The Friends group stated on social media that they have informed the relevant authorities about the situation.
Council Response and Eviction Plans
Sheldon councillor Paul Tilsley confirmed that officers would conduct an assessment on Monday, March 30, with intentions to issue an eviction notice the following day. He expressed frustration, describing it as a recurring issue where travellers move between parks, leaving rubbish for council cleanup.
Birmingham City Council, when contacted for comment, reiterated its commitment to protecting council land from unauthorised encampments. The council noted it maintains transit sites and plots for the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community, in alignment with government policy, with details available from their 2019 accommodation assessment.
The council emphasised it will take steps to recover land when encroachments occur, though specific actions regarding this incident were not detailed in the initial response.
