Measures to stop illegal encampments at Southwick Green

Adur District Council is going to spend £60,000 on new gates, bollards and benches strategically placed around the green space to prevent incursions.

The green has been the site of a number of illegal caravan encampments over the years and it is hoped these new measures will counter the problem.

An officers’ report said the council is ‘under a positive duty to protect the integrity of the green and its general recreational enjoyment. It is required, therefore, that effective measures are put in place to prevent any future incursions’.

The funding was approved by members of the joint strategic committee on Tuesday (July 7).

It will come from an existing improvement budget plus a deferment of car park alterations at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre.

The council is the sole trustee of Southwick Green.

Neil Parkin, leader of the council, said: “It is not acceptable that we are left with clean-up costs and residents are deprived of recreational space when these incursions occur.

“There is no need for it to happen. Official places are available and we are hopeful these new security measures will send out a clear message that we will not tolerate it any further.”

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