Man evicted from Lode Hill Caravan site for repeated offences

Richard Willett, of 9 Lode Hill Caravan Site in Downton, was evicted following repeated dumping and burning rubbish on the site, causing a nuisance to other residents and damage to the nearby environment.

The rubbish that has been burned includes general waste in sacks and bin bags, fridges, freezers, plastic, wood, PVC doors and frames, carpet, cardboard, plastic boxes and fibreglass loft insulation.

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The issues began when Mr Willett was advised by the council to clear up the significant waste next to his pitch, in a communal parking and turning area, and stop burning the rubbish. However, this did not resolve the issue, and the council has issued several verbal and written warnings to Mr Willett to stop his behaviour, but he refused to do so.

Since then, the council has issued Mr Willett with several legally enforceable warnings and notices, but he did not comply, and so Mr Willett and his family were served a notice of eviction.

Following a trial hearing on August 9, 2024, the council was granted outright possession of Plot 9, Lode Hill Caravan Site and the family was given until September 23, 2024 to leave. This did not happen, and so Mr Willett and family were evicted by bailiffs on Thursday, November 7.

Lode Hill Caravan Site (Image: Wiltshire Council)

Cabinet member for housing cllr Phil Alford said: “Evicting someone from one of our sites is always a last resort, and we would always look to resolve the situation with the tenant where we can.

“However, we have given Mr Willett every opportunity to stop dumping and burning significant volumes of toxic rubbish, but he has continued to do so, causing both a nuisance to other residents and significant environmental harm.

“This gave us no choice but to evict Mr Willett and his family from the site to ensure the wellbeing of other residents and also help protect the local environment.

“Since this case was reported to us, we have done all we can to encourage and then require Mr Willett to change his ways and stop his anti-social behaviour, but he refused to do so at every stage and was uncooperative with our officers.

“As this case shows, we continue to take all actions available to us to prevent and end anti-social behaviour on council property and we hope the residents adversely affected are reassured by how seriously we take such matters.”