In Irby, Merseyside, police officers recently escorted a large caravan onto a disputed site. This move has sparked significant anger among residents who claim the protected green belt land is being illegally developed.
The Sunday escort of a large white caravan to Irby
Video footage captured by residents shows Merseyside Police guiding a massive white caravan into the back left of a plot on a recent Sunday. The incident occurred near Townshend Avenue, where the arrival of the vehicle has caused significant friction between the new occupants and the established community.
Merseyside Police defended their involvement, stating they are duty-bound to escort vehicles that could pose a safety risk to other motorists due to their size or weight. According to the report, under safe loads regulations, haulage companies require a police escort for exceptionally abnormal loads, which includes vehicles exceeding 4-5m in width.
Paving over protected green belt land since August 26
The site in Irby is situated on protected green belt land where no planning applications have been submitted to the Wirral Council. Since the occupation began on August 26, the area has been transformed by the use of diggers and forklfts to lay hard standing and erect a 10ft wooden fence.
While a temporary stop notice is currently in place to prevent further construction, the report notes that this notice does not apply to the caravans themselves. This specific legal distinction means the site remains occupied while the notice remains active until its expiration on October 22.
Councillor Mark Skillicorn and the push for enforcement
Local councillor Mark Skillicorn has confirmed that the council is aware of the situation and is pushing for an escalation of enfrcement options. He acknowledged the community's desire for swift action to protect the natural environment from uncontrolled development.
Residents living near the site have reported several specific grievances following the arrival of the caravans:
- A sense of intimidation from the new occupants.
- Diminishing mental health and increased distress among neighbors .
- A perception that the police are acting as "bodyguards" for the travellers rather than protecting the community.
Will Wirral Council act before the October 22 deadline?
Legal questions remain regarding whether Wirral Council can effectively prevvent police from facilitating the arrival of new caravans under the guise of safety escorts.. There is also uncertainty regarding how the council will respond once the temporary stop notice expires on October 22.
Furthermore,the report does not include a statement from the traveller families regarding the nature of their occupation or the legalty of their construction works. It remains unclear if the three families who purchased the land in August intend to seek retrospective planning permission for the building site they have created.
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