A fed-up council has moved to shut down a site where ‘nuisance’ travellers allegedly used toilet blocks to store stolen goods, drugs and even firearms.
Travellers have voiced their fears of being “left on the streets” as Bolton Council initiates eviction proceedings against them from a caravan site they’ve called home for two decades. The council’s move to shut down Crompton Lodge in Bolton, Lancashire, comes in response to “escalating violence and criminality”.
Bolton Council lodged an application to close the site yesterday (June 18), citing years of residents “causing nuisance”.
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The past half a year has seen a surge in violence, culminating in an attack on a police liaison officer, according to the council. The council also alleges that toilet blocks have been used as storage for stolen goods, drugs and firearms.
(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
However, the travellers facing eviction argue they are “fighting for their babies’ home”.
Kathleen Moloney, who moved into Crompton Lodge in 2004, is terrified she’ll be “left on the streets” along with her six children, aged between six and 21, and elderly uncle.
Kathleen, an ‘Irish traveller’, reveals that seven families – roughly 40 people – are at risk of losing their homes at the site, some of whom have resided there for twenty years.
(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
The full-time mum expressed her distress, saying: “I’ve been at that site for 20 years – my four babies were born there, and now they want to shut the place down. It’s about our human rights – we’re just being cut off. We’re going to have to live on the streets.”
Kathleen argues that innocent members of the traveller community should not be penalised for the alleged behaviour of individuals
“They’re saying there’s been crime on the site,” she added. “It feels like they’re saying there’s crime in our community.
(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
“But it can’t be true – if there were guns on our home address, why wasn’t it closed down years ago. Why weren’t social services taking our kids? “
The council has lodged a closure order at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, and the process to evict anyone onsite without a tenancy began yesterday.
Residents of Crompton Lodge claim they received letters stating the council believes the site is causing nuisance to the public, nearby residents, the wider Bolton area and the traveller community.
(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
The council assures those with tenancy agreements will receive full support and guidance throughout the closure process.
Kathleen reveals eviction notices were posted on caravans around the site yesterday and this sparked a small protest against the closure by some residents.
It is understood that alternative accommodation has been offered to the residents.
A spokesperson for Bolton Council stated: “As a council, we fully recognise our statutory duty to make provisions for the traveller community.
(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
“However, we have now reached a point where it is no longer possible to safely maintain and run this site, despite a number of joint interventions over many years.
“Due to repeated hostility, council employees and contractors are unable to visit without a police escort, and this is no longer sustainable.
“We are now seeking a closure order for Crompton Lodge, including for those that are legally tenanted to live there, so we can regain control of the site and make it safe and secure for the local community.”
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