Monmouthshire County Council has issued a statement on the recent illegal encampment within Chepstow Leisure Centre’s car park.

Cllr Angela Sandles, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, said: “We would like to acknowledge the concerns of local people, including leisure centre users, on the disruption caused by the recent occupation of the car park at Chepstow Leisure Centre. 

“I can confirm that members of the travellers’ community left the site yesterday, Thursday 19 March, a day prior to the council bailiff’s planned attendance to enforce removal from the site.

While the council appreciates the challenges that members of the traveller community have in finding appropriate pitches, the use without consent of Chepstow Leisure Centre’s car park has caused widespread concern and disruption.

Council teams therefore reacted promptly. As soon as the car park was occupied, an assessment was undertaken to ensure the welfare of adults and children in the encampment where duly considered.  The site is particularly sensitive and is not suitable for an encampment. We followed the established legal procedure, which requires that a week’s notice is given. A court hearing was arranged as soon as the notice period ended, and the occupiers were informed of the court order to vacate. Yesterday, those occupying the site chose to leave the prior to the eviction being enforced.

Cllr Sandles added: “I would like to thank everyone who has worked to support efforts to resolve this situation. I have opened dialogue with Welsh Government to reaffirm the importance of transit sites across Wales, as there are currently no legal or safe places to stop. I will continue to champion this to mitigate impact on our local communities.”