A GROUP of Travellers that set up an unauthorised encampment on Council-owned land in Chester have been ordered to leave.
The carpark at the Boughton Heath Park and Ride site on Whitchurch Road has been occupied by a Traveller group who arrived on Friday, November 17 in two caravans.
Following a review by an officer of Cheshire and Warrington Traveller Team (CWTT), a Section 77 notice was served on Wednesday, November 21.
Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act gives local authorities the power to direct individuals to remove their vehicles and belongings from any land that has been occupied without the consent of the landowner - in this case the Council.
Once a Section 77 order has been served, the the group must vacate the area by an agreed date, and are not allowed to return to the same location for three months.
If they do so, they will be committing a criminal offence and risk a custodial sentence or a fine of up to £1000.
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