An unlawful encampment of caravans has moved from outside Whitley Bay's Spanish City to the St Mary's Lighthouse car park after being ordered to leave the previous site. The group had been issued a legal notice on Monday to vacate The Links near the Dome, but was spotted again on Tuesday at the lighthouse car park.
Council takes action
Peter Mennell, North Tyneside Council director of housing and property services, said: “The encampment that was on the Links yesterday has relocated to the St Mary’s Lighthouse car park. Our Community Protection Team visited St Mary’s today to speak with those present and make them aware of the next steps.”
“In line with our established process, Community Protection officers, supported by Northumbria Police, are serving a legal notice requiring the group to leave the land. We will keep a close watch on the site and manage the situation using the appropriate legal powers.”
Background and legal context
In July 2025, the council had informed the convoy that formal action would be taken if they remained on The Links. The encampment initially arrived over the weekend before being served notice. This is not the first such incident in the area; in 2016, residents complained about a traveller encampment in the Briardene car park, near St Mary's Lighthouse, where around 15 caravans appeared before moving on.
Roma groups and travellers, along with other ethnic groups with particular cultures, languages, or values, are protected from discrimination by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
