Council to meet as van-dweller numbers quadruple

The future of Bristol's van-dwelling community is set to be discussed after it was revealed the number of people living in vehicles had gone up by more than 400% in the past five years.

The council estimates there are up to 680 vehicles being lived in across Bristol. Land next to the M32, Fishponds and The Downs are among the locations being used.

Bristol City Council's Homes and Housing Delivery Committee will put forward options for the future management of the community during a meeting on Friday.

It comes after a caravan parked near Durdham Down was destroyed in a suspected arson attack on Thursday night.

No injuries were reported and Avon and Somerset Police has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

One van-dweller, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the BBC he had no alternative as he had run out of money and had nowhere to live.

Councillors will discuss a range of key points listed in a report, including the potential to develop permanent vehicle-dweller sites and to set up outreach support services.

Councillor for Easton, Barry Parsons, who chairs the committee, said: "We had 150 vehicles lived in across the city in 2019 when we brought in our current vehicle-dweller policy.

"We now have between 640 and 680. This is the reason why we're bringing forward this policy now, we have to change the way that we work with this community of people," he said.

One van-dweller told the BBC: "I was living in my car when the council refused my application for a council house, so I had to do what I had to do.

"I came to Bristol because there's more work. I'm a builder and I'm building houses that I can't afford."

Committee members will be given an update on proposals included in a council report, with a recommendation to "make a commitment to further engagement" with vehicle-dwellers.

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