Unauthorised Encampments and Traveller Sites

Wealden District Council recognises the rights of Gypsies and Travellers to have a nomadic life style and have access to services for health, education and accommodation.

We work in partnership with many organisations including Sussex Police, East Sussex County Council and all of the District and Borough Council's in East Sussex.

Within the Wealden District we have Gypsies and Travellers on both permanent sites and also within dwellings in the settled community.

The partnership working includes participation in the East Sussex Traveller Strategy, having regard to the Accommodation Needs Assessment of Gypsies and Travellers and also the Police protocol in dealing with unauthorized encampments. East Sussex County Council (external link) Website.  

The Council operates a procedure for the Unauthorised occupation of land in Wealden (pdf).

Information on the code of practice for gypsies and travellers (pdf) in East Sussex
Information on unauthorised encampment (pdf) and the frequently asked questions.

Wealden participates in the Traveller Forums that regularly take place in the East Sussex Districts and Boroughs to promote traveller involvement with activities taking place in East Sussex such as the Transit Site refurbishment at Southerham near Lewes and also to site provision within the Local Development Plan and South East Regional Assembly. 

Following consultation (pdf) with community and traveller representatives, a methodology and site criteria (pdf) on which assessments of all potential traveller sites would be based has now been agreed.

Useful Contact Points

Report a travellers encampment online

If you would like to report an unauthorized encampment please fill in our online form

The Friends, Families and Travellers (external link) website.   

Traveller Education Service:

Telephone: 01273 481000

Sussex Police:

Telephone: 0845 6070 999  

East Sussex Traveller Liaison Manager:

Telephone: 01273 481344

Eastbourne County Court:

Telephone: 01323 752518

Lewes County Court:

Telephone: 01273 480400

Tunbridge Wells County Court:

Telephone: 01892 700150