CARAVANS, vehicles, chicken coops and unauthorised fencing was removed from an unauthorised camp near Amesbury.

Wiltshire Council has cleared the site, on a byway in Cholderton, after obtaining a court order.

The site was host to several caravans, vehicles, chicken coops, aggressive dogs and unauthorised fencing built on the public highway.

Following the report, Environmental Enforcement Officers visited the camp and the occupant was issued with a seven-day warning notice to leave the site. They also attempted to conduct a welfare check with the occupant.

With the encampment still in situ after the expiration of the warning notice, and with the council receiving further complaints about the blocked byway and aggressive dogs at the location, officers returned to the site accompanied by police officers.

The occupant of the encampment was served with further notices to vacate the land, including a formal Direction to Leave notice.

When the owner failed again to comply, the council obtained a Removal Order at Salisbury Magistrates on November 19, which authorised the move, with the owner also ordered to pay £750 in costs to the council.

Environmental Enforcement Officers moved in and cleared the site of all caravans, vehicles, and structures on November 27, with the assistance of an approved contractor and Wiltshire Police.

Rubbish, vehicles and more were among items removed form the site in Cholderton. Pictures: Wiltshire Council

Cllr Nick Holder, cabinet member for for highways, Streetscene and flooding, said: “As a council and the local Highway Authority, we have a legal duty to assert and protect the rights of the public to enable the use and enjoyment of any highway for which we have responsibility.

“The encampment in Cholderton was illegally in place and blocking the route for others wishing to use the byway.

“I’d like to thank the enforcement officers for their tenacity and patience in working through the legal process and successfully ensuring that the land was cleared.

“As this case shows, we will take firm and decisive action to remove unauthorised developments in Wiltshire.”

To report an unauthorised encampment in Wiltshire, call 0300 456 0100.

READ MORE: Unauthorised site moved on from Bonnymead Park, Amesbury