Dwellers in the Clifton Downs risk causing a city-wide problem, with a potential of housing system collapse, as some Bristolians choose van life instead of putting up with sky-high rents.
Caravan dweller, Johnny complains about the excessive costs of rent and the constant movement of the caravan communities. When challenged about ‘cheating the system’ he explained the high rent costs incentivised him to move into a caravan.
- Opinion: If people think avoiding £10,000 in rent a year is this easy, then we will have a very big problem on our hands soon.
Bob, a local resident explained that he often talks to dwellers in his walks, ‘two of them classroom assistants working at a school’ as well as ‘security guards’, ‘ordinary people can’t afford Bristol rents’. ‘a real mix’, ‘mostly white’. His perspective may provide a small insight into a new way of life and a fight back against high rental costs, which were mentioned as a serious problem. Bob pointed out that its still a ‘small minority’ who choose caravan life. A council worker was approached on the day and gave no comment.
Tony Gosling from the Bristol Housing Action Movement, helps provide legal support to squatters and travellers. Giving an exclusive interview; he accused landowners and the council of ‘running rings around’ the ‘crisis’ of caravan dwellers. According to Gosling, the recent closure of Baltic Warf site and others has made the situation untenable.
He warns this ‘crisis’ will not be solved, claiming the Green-led council of ‘not knowing what they’re doing’, expressing pessimism as brown sites continue to get developed, there was anger at the trees felled at harbourside site, after the local caravan park got evicted back in August.
It is estimated that 640-680 dwellers live in the city according to the council, while the average rent price £1,778 according to the ONS, with the population set to increase by around ten percent from 2023 to 2033 according to the council, the second highest increase in England.
Today, Protect the Downs, a group in opposition to the dwellers, launched legal action against the council condemning their lack of inaction. The group launched a £40,000 legal challenge against the council; in defence, the council claims that it is developing ‘50 pitches for people living in caravans in the city where it was safe and has some basic services, as well as enforcing pay and display parking on the Downs’. The challenge seems to try to pressure dwellers to move from the Downs, though it remains to be seen how successful this will be. It’s not hard to find increasing frustration amongst the locals; Jennifer, angry over the ‘lack of waste management and free parking.’. Meanwhile, the private Facebook group is buzzing with activity. An anonymous post, brings up statistics that there is a record of 142 caravan dwellers in the area.
Unless action is taken, its possible that more Bristolians will choose caravan dwelling, perhaps disrupting the housing system and exasperating the housing crisis, with the population booming, the council will have to face serious housing crises and make big decisions over the future of the city.
