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(vi) Caravan Act, 1960
(a) LICENSED RESIDENTIAL SITES
There are five residential caravan sites within the Borough,
one of which is owned and managed by the Council.
At the end of the year there were 324 caravans, stationed on
the sites, being used for residential accommodation.
These sites are provided with the essential amenities in the way
of water supply, washing facilities, sanitary accommodation and
refuse disposal, hard standings are provided for most of the caravans
and electricity supply is available on two of the sites for the
occupants of the caravans.
All these sites are subject to Planning Approval under the new
Act, and conditions have been attached to the new licences in order
to bring these sites up to the requirements of the Model Standards.
Frequent inspections are made of the sites and they are maintained
in a reasonably satisfactory condition.
(b) INDIVIDUAL CARAVANS
At the end of the year there were 26 individual caravans
stationed in the Borough, some on isolated plots and others on land
adjoining houses, most of these caravans are being used for
residential purposes.
These caravans are subject to control under the above act, and
enforcement action is being taken for the removal of caravans that
are on unauthorised sites.
(c) LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
During the year one prosecution was instituted concerning an
offence under the act and contravention of site licence conditions.
A fine of five pounds with two guineas costs was imposed by the
Magistrates' Court.
(d) GIPSY ENCAMPMENTS
A large number of gipsy caravans visit the district throughout
the year and camp on unfenced parcels of land, mainly in the
northern end of the Borough.
These nomads cause a considerable nuisance to the householders
in the neighbourhood of the encampments by their persistent
demands for water, their very low standards of hygiene and the
refuse they leave behind when breaking camp.
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