Covid-19: Overcrowded Bampton traveller site 'is coronavirus risk'

An overcrowded traveller site is "a fire hazard, a risk to children and could contribute to the spread of Covid-19", a council has said.

The Paddocks in Bampton is in breach of planning regulations, West Oxfordshire District Council said.

Each pitch is for three caravans but most have between 12 and 15, the Lowlands planning committee heard.

The Friends, Families and Travellers group blamed the issue on a "shocking lack" of pitches in England.

The organisation, that seeks to address problems faced by traveller and Gypsy communities, also said there were "long waiting lists for almost every pitch".

"The issue is longstanding but has become particularly concerning during the pandemic when lots of families have had little option but to pull on to pitches of friends and family members in order to access water and sanitation," it added.

"Everybody needs a safe place to live and West Oxfordshire have a responsibility to make sure that Gypsy and traveller families in their area have a safe place to live."

A report to the committee, which was discussed on Monday, said that in recent years there were also concerns that there was a "significantly higher number" of caravans at the site were being lived in by "non-Gypsy residents".

"Given the close proximity of the caravans there are a number of potential risks in terms of spread of fire, spread of Covid, safety and welfare of children in potentially dangerous living conditions," the report said.

The council did not highlight any Covid-19 cases reported on the site during the meeting.

Two of the plots had been given retrospective planning permission, allowing six caravans instead of three to be legally placed on them, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, the committee heard it had not yet been implemented.

The report stated the overcrowding issue was a "big project" for council staff to undertake, given they were already dealing with a "resource issue".

As a result a multi-agency approach is now being taken, including Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A meeting of this group, to address the next action to be taken, had been due to take place in October but has been delayed until the new year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].