Travellers leave Chesney Fields in York after council warning

Enforcement officers with the City of York Council had served the group who pitched up at Chesney Fields in Foxwood Lane a notice to leave on Monday (August 10).

The warning gave the community until lunchtime on Wednesday (August 12) to vacate the area but left early, Westfield ward councillor Andrew Waller confirmed.

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Shortly after 5.30pm on Tuesday, he said: “The Travellers have now all left the field.

“The waste from the site was bagged up.”

The group arrived at the popular playing fields over the weekend and were issued a notice to leave by the council (Image: Westfield Ward Liberal Democrats)

Cllr Waller had reported earlier that day that most of the group had left the fields, which are popular with local football teams and sit adjacent to a children’s play area.

One caravan and one van remained following the council warning, he said, with waste from the group left by the nearby litter bin.

A council spokesperson said they had met with the Traveller community at the site.

It is understood that officers from North Yorkshire Police also visited the fields.

Cllr Waller said the Travellers had used a gap in the low fencing made during a previous encampment in May to gain entry onto the field.

In a statement, he said: “I am awaiting a response from the council with regards to the repairs to existing fencing to the field and any proposals for improvements following the previous situation in May.”

In response, Ian Hoult, head of environmental services at City of York Council said: “Chesney Fields is a busy space, with the play area and field used every day by local residents.

“To improve the security of the site, sections of the existing fence line will be re-enforced with additional posts.

“These will strengthen the fence line without impacting trees or the wider look and feel of the area.”

In May, piles of rubbish left behind in the Traveller encampment were cleared by multiple council vans.

Cllr Waller said: “We had to do a lot of work to make the site safe for those who use it after broken glass was found across the football pitches.”

Westfield Labour said the same response was not required for this week’s encampment.

A statement read: “The field was left clean.

“City of York Council officers from the public realm team are attending to ensure the bagged waste is removed and to check the fields.

“We have also asked that the fence, gate and lego blocks and re-instated.”