Bristol van dwellers have pitched up back on the side of a road once again after a report found 800 people have begun living a nomadic lifestyle due to the cost-of-living crisis.
There has been a surge of people living in motorhomes, caravans and converted vans in the last year as they battle not only with the economic climate but the nation-wide housing crisis.
Yet many living in the city have insisted their quality of life is now better than it would have been if they decided to stay in traditional housing. They include people with a range of backgrounds from engineers, to stonemasons and students.
In May, Bristol City Council ordered a group of van dwellers parked up against the leafy and affluent Clifton Downs. The notice told vehicles to ‘vacate the site within 14 days’.
Months later, however, van-dwellers are still spotted parked up across the city – down quiet roads, next to parks and next to fields.
Van dweller Tim pictured in the door of his van, that he has parked on the roadside, with his dog
Van dweller Mark, whose surname was not given, pictured next to his trailer on the side of the road in Bristol
According to a report by Bristol City Council published in April, the number of vans has quadrupled since 2020, with only 100-150 people living in vans three years ago
Several dwellers asked to move previously said they feel they’ve unfairly been ‘grouped together’ by the council – who referred to them as an ‘encampment’ – when it is the minority who are responsible for the waste.
Some had claimed they were left stressed and angry by the council’s measures – and claim they’re not doing anything offensive.
Dave Turner, 24, works as a technician and has been living in his caravan on the Downs for two months.
After getting the letter from the council a week ago, he said the situation has been keeping him up at night.
He said: ‘It’s not good. One of the reasons the council gave was our waste disposal, but most of us do it the proper way.
‘They say we’re too close to houses but I can’t see many houses around here.
‘I work in Bristol – if I moved, I can’t think of anywhere I could go that would cause less irritation to people than here. It’s very stressful – I’ve been looking around as I’ll have to try to move.
‘I don’t like how they’ve grouped us together and called us an ‘encampment’ – I’m here on my own. I haven’t come with a group. I was fine until I got the letter – and now it’s keeping me up.
A long line of vans, caravans and trailers are seen parked up on the side of the road
In May, Bristol City Council ordered a group of van dwellers parked up against the leafy and affluent Clifton Downs
Bristol has become the most expensive place to rent in the UK outside of London – with the average monthly rent costing £1.734
‘A few vans have already moved onto a different road, but my van has solar panels so it would be a pain to move as the alternative is an area shaded by trees. This is the perfect spot really.
‘If I had to move to central Bristol, I’d worry about my van – my home – getting broken into as well.’
Callum Kennedy, 30, has lived in a van for three years – and on the Downs for a year of that.
Originally from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, he works in Bristol as a maintenance engineer – and was out at work when the Council’s notice was delivered.
He said he wasn’t issued a notice asking him to leave – but rather one mislabelling his home as an ‘abandoned’ vehicle and saying they’ll come and take it away.
According to a report by Bristol City Council published in April, the number of vans has quadrupled since 2020, with only 100-150 people living in vans three years ago.
Bristol has become the most expensive place to rent in the UK outside of London – with the average monthly rent costing £1.734. It came after the pandemic when people left the capital for cheaper and more rural alternatives.
Residents living near the Downs in the leafy village of Clifton want to see ‘tougher enforcement action’ on those dwelling in vehicles, according to councillor Steve Smith.
Previous complaints included blocked pavements, fires, littering, human waste, double parking and a rising number of vehicles.
Deputy Mayor Asher Craig told the BBC at the time that other locals wanted to ‘find a happy medium because [they] respect the fact these people have nowhere else to live’.
Bristol Council said in a statement responding to the order to ‘vacate’: ‘On June 12, the council’s neighbourhood enforcement team visited the encampment on Parry’s Lane and Saville Road to conduct a welfare check and assessment following complaints received from residents and councillors.
‘During this visit, a letter was issued to occupants requesting they vacate the land in the next 14 days.
‘This letter is an informal request and offers the vehicle dwellers the opportunity to open a dialogue about the concerns we have raised.
‘The neighbourhood enforcement team remains in conversation with the occupants of the Parry’s Lane encampment and will revisit the area on June 26 to assess if further action, as a result of any vehicles remaining on site, is necessary.’
