Lee James cowers in his rusting Mercedes Sprinter van on the Bristol Downs, anxious about a growing campaign to evict van-dwellers from the historic parkland. 'I just wish there was more kindness,' he says.
Last week, residents from wealthy neighbourhoods surrounding the Downs lobbied the Green-led council to remove the 60 to 100 vans and caravans parked there. The 'Protect the Downs' action group has gathered over 8,000 signatures on a petition calling for the removal of encampments.
Tony Nelson, the group's chair, told a council meeting that antisocial behaviour, including defecation, fighting, assaults, drug dealing and flashing, had become a daily occurrence. He claimed a child was nearly blinded by human excrement, though police figures show a 5.7% decrease in recorded crime in the area over the past year.
Bristol, dubbed the van-dwelling capital of the UK, has about 650 live-in vehicles, quadrupling from 150 in 2019. The council is drafting a new van-dwelling policy, due for consultation in September. Barry Parsons, Green chair of the housing committee, said the approach would support both settled communities and van-dwellers.
James, 45, has been homeless for five months and cannot afford the average £850 monthly rent for a room. He says campaigners 'lump us all together' and fears eviction would leave him with nowhere to go. The residents' group acknowledges some vulnerable people live in vehicles but claims most choose the lifestyle, suggesting those priced out should move to cheaper towns like Newport.
