Managing unauthorised encampments (including Gypsy and Traveller sites)
An unauthorised encampment is when a group of people move on to a piece of land that they do not own and without consent from the landowner. This is a form of trespassing under civil law.
The council has an authorised, fixed site with residential pitches for travellers at Kanes Hill, Botley Road.
If you have seen an unauthorised site, check below to see if it is one we already know about.
Current reports
Unauthorised encampment reported at Test Park
Update at 5pm on 22 July 2025: Southampton City Council’s Community Safety team have completed statutory welfare checks and the occupants have now vacated the site.
Unauthorised encampment reported at Chilworth Roundabout
Update at 5pm on 22 July 2025: Southampton City Council’s Community Safety team have completed statutory welfare checks and are now working with legal services to identify how the site should be dealt with.
Unauthorised encampment reported at Weston Parade
Update at 5pm on 22 July 2025: Southampton City Council’s Community Safety team are working with partners such as Balfour Beatty Living Places, police and parking services to identify a permanent solution. The complexity of a multi-agency response is lengthier to allow processes to be followed, as partners work together to find the best outcome.
Unauthorised encampment reported at Chiltern Green, Kendle Avenue, Southampton
Update at 5pm on 13 June 2025: Southampton City Council's Community Safety team have completed statutory welfare checks with the occupants of the unauthorised encampment at Chiltern Green, Kendle Avenue. The occupants have been verbally requested to leave the site. A report has been submitted to a senior council manager with recommendations on how the site should be dealt with.
Reporting an encampment
You can report an encampment using our online form:
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself up to five minutes to fill in the form.
We will need to know:
Date and time you first noticed the campsite
Number of caravans or vehicles on the site
Extra details about the location
For more information, you can read our full policy on managing unauthorised campsites.
