QUICKER steps will be used in future to deal with unauthorised encampments by Gypsies and other travellers on Hampshire County Council land, following a review of procedures.

The news comes after travellers had to be moved several times from different sites around the New Forest in the summer, costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds each time.

The county council’s policy to control such encampments was last reviewed in 1996 but each year there are about 60 illegal encampments on council land, involving between 150 and 200 individual caravans.

Over the last three years, the annual legal and clean up cost incurred by the council to remove these encampments has been an average of around £26,300.

In future, the county council will first apply through the magistrates courts to reclaim land and minimise the impact on the local community and residents. This is swifter than the civil courts route used previously and for which a hearing can take up to 21 days to secure.

Informal negotiations and welfare checks that are required by law will continue to run alongside the magistrates court process.

A council spokesman said: “The council’s policy has always been to consider the individual circumstances with the intention to reduce nuisance and afford a high level of protection to local residents, while remaining humane and compassionate.

“This is balanced against current legislation which requires that proportionate action is taken and that the rights of all parties are considered before taking action to re-secure the land.

“While the council’s Gypsy and traveller team secures 40 per cent of all evictions as a result of direct informal negotiation, in some cases, legal action via the courts is required.”

Council leader Ken Thornber said: “When an illegal encampment appears, it is very often contentious and unwelcome, presenting a number of issues and concerns for local residents and the landowner.

“We are fully aware that illegal encampments can result in nuisance and cost to the taxpayer; in legal terms as well as the clean-up costs, therefore the sooner the eviction process is completed, the better.

“By applying to the magistrates’ courts we can speed up the process and minimise the disruption and impact on local residents as well as the disruption to members of the travelling community.

“We are also fully aware of the cost and nuisance that illegal encampments can have on private landowners and so where they occur on private land, our officers will continue to provide advice and guidance to help where possible and appropriate.”