Killjoy council serves eviction notices leaving people just two weeks to move

23 December 2023 , 07:39

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John Smith is pictured inside his converted motocross truck (Image: Eastern Daily Press / SWNS)

A killjoy council has ordered an eviction notice to a group of people in caravans and mobile homes next to a beach before Christmas.

The long-term residents in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, are furious with decision and insist they respect the environment and don't "bother anyone".

But Norfolk County Council, controlled by the Tories, claims the community is trespassing and says it has worked with third parties to ensure "legal procedures are followed". The authority's Direction to Leave Land notice means the residents, near South Beach Parade, must leave their spot by January 5, 2024 - in less than two weeks.

However, some of the group has lived there for years. John Smith, who has resided at the site in his converted former motocross race truck since March, said: "People have been living along here for years. It's a proper community here and everything is legit. We're not in hiding, we clean up after ourselves and we're no bother to the police."

He said he "doesn't see" why he has to move out of the area as "it's a proper community" who "clean up after themselves." John, who chose to live in his truck after costs kept increasing at his former bungalow in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, continued: "I don't see why we have to move... I've got everything I want in here - a microwave, a shower, a TV and a wood burner.

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The community resides 'with no trouble' beside a beach in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Eastern Daily Press / SWNS)

"I keep this taxed and insured, and it's all mine. It will be a shame to keep moving about and causing a nuisance on roads and laybys when lorry drivers need them most."

Another local, called Ash, moved to the area in his caravan in April this year after he "fell in love with the place." He said it's "just a shame" that he's having to leave as his "whole life" in the caravan.

The Falklands veteran said: "I came down here in April and fell in love with the place. We're don't keep scruffy caravans, and we're no bother to anyone. My whole life is in that caravan. It's just a shame."

A council spokesperson confirmed they have 'visited a number of locations' to service eviction notices. They said: "Our officers have visited a number of locations in Great Yarmouth to service eviction notices on those occupying unauthorised encampments on public land.

"Throughout this process we have worked closely with partner agencies responsible for homelessness, including the borough council, under agreed protocols, to ensure legal procedures are followed. We cannot comment on individuals or individual cases, but we can confirm that all statutory responsibilities have been discharged by the county council."

Izzy Hawksworth