Laws designed to tackle illegal encampments set up by travellers and Gypsies will be scrutinised by the government, over fears the sites have a "detrimental" impact on the countryside.
Communities Minister Alok Sharma has announced a government consultation to review the effectiveness of current enforcement against unauthorised developments and encampments.
Rural organisation the CLA said illegal encampments in rural areas have a negative effect on local businesses.
Director of Policy and Advice Christopher Price said: “Illegal encampments in rural areas have a detrimental economic, environmental and social impact on local businesses and communities as well as to the private landowner.
“Travellers who occupy land illegally should not be given significant protections which prevent their lawful removal.
“Existing powers of enforcement could be used much more effectively on private land if the local authority, police and other relevant agencies had a more co-ordinated approach and used their joint resources at an earlier stage in the development of an illegal camp.”
Suitable provision
The CLA has urged the Government to ensure there is suitable provision of lawful camps to avoid the issues that arise from unauthorised encampments.
“We will respond to the consultation making clear the impact that illegal encampments have on private land and within rural communities,” Mr Price said.
MPs from across the UK, particularly the Midlands and South-East and South-West of England, claimed illegal sites were on the increase, along with the anti-social behaviour they said was associated with them.
In a Commons debate, some MPs said constituents believed there was one law for travellers and one for the rest of society. Others warned against prejudice.
