Tue, 26 Aug 2025

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 Council writes to deputy PM for van dweller help

Tensions have grown in recent months due to a rising number of motorhomes on Clifton Down in Bristol.
The council wants extra money to provide welfare support to those living in vans, which have become a growing issue on Clifton Down where tensions are rising between residents and van dwellers. In a letter, the council also asked for powers to make it easier to remove vehicles from council land and for funding to build more social housing, so that van dwellers have more options. It's estimated there are around 650 vehicles being used as homes in Bristol, with some people saying they've been forced into this situation due to the cost-of-living crisis and high rent prices. The council is working on establishing temporary "meanwhile sites" for people living in vans, offering low-cost pitches with amenities like toilets and running water. Councillor Barry Parsons said the council cannot tackle the issue alone and is calling on central government for support. He cited Bristol's housing crisis, where average private rents have risen by over 23% between 2020 and 2023, and house prices are nearly nine times average annual earnings. The council also wants a new legal requirement for caravans to be registered, making it easier to enforce traffic laws on parked caravans. Additionally, the council is calling for devolved powers that would allow them to influence private rent affordability.
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