MK Council has published the first tranche of MK sites that will receive additional defence
In July, following several high profile unauthorised encampments in the borough, MK Council’s Cabinet made £250,000 available to improve physical defences at locations used regularly for unauthorised encampments, and instructed officers to look at additional legal deterrents.
Over 30 sites have been assessed and on 2 October Cabinet will receive an update on how defences are being planned for eight high priority areas. Work will then follow on lower priority spaces.
The council determined the highest priority sites based on the number of previous encampments, and on proximity to school grounds, playing fields, play parks, cemeteries, public facilities, homes and businesses.
A variety of barriers which include concrete blocks, gates, fences, earth ‘bunds’ and trenches can be installed in open spaces. The following areas are in the first tranche for work:
- Foxcovert Lane in Shenley Wood
- Peverel Drive in Granby
- Standing Way in Bletchley
- Tattenhoe Lane in Bletchley
- Bilbrook Lane in Furzton
- Child’s Way in Oxley Park
- Shelsley Avenue in Ashland
- Calverton Road in Stony Stratford
Some have multiple defence works planned. Large concrete blocks have already been put in place at Pendeen Crescent in Snelshall.
Since the start of the year 145 notices have been served on encampments by the council and its partners. Around three quarters of these were served on the same group who moved from one encampment to another. The highest number of unauthorised encampments at any one time was seven and there are currently three in MK.
Many unauthorised encampments are short in duration and cause minimal disruption, but others cause significant issues for residents and are costly to clear up.
Council Leader Pete Marland said “145 eviction notices have been served to evict unauthorised encampments since January and the vast majority moved on quickly. We use every power at our disposal. We won’t stand for encampments in places where citizens will be negatively affected.
“In the longer term we’re looking at finding sites where encampments can reside legally with minimal impact on local residents but this won’t happen overnight. Until then, we’ll continue to invest in prevention measures and to clean up sites once encampments have moved on.”
