A GROUP of travellers has set up camp in a public car park at Poole's Baiter open space after apparently arriving overnight on Monday.

Several vans and cars now occupy part of the Harbourside car park, which has views across Poole Harbour to the Purbeck Hills and is also near a public toilet block.

Borough of Poole officers have been to the site off Catalina Drive and are expecting the group to move on next weekend.

The daily charge for up to 12 hours parking at the spot is £9.60 and there is no height barrier at the entrance, as it is regularly used by visitors with camper vans and four wheel drive vehicles.

The travellers are not from either of the two groups that set up an illegal encampment next to Ham Common nature reserve at Rockley Park before vacating on June 28.

Jeff Morley, regulatory services team manager for the Borough of Poole, said: “Six caravans and one camping van are currently located in the Harbourside 2 car parking area adjacent to Baiter.

“We are legally obliged to consider the welfare, health and educational needs of the travellers and we are regularly visiting the site to provide refuse sacks, assess the behaviour of the travellers and reduce any impact on the local area.”

Cllr Judy Butt, cabinet portfolio holder for parks and open spaces, said: “It’s a requirement that we must observe their (the travellers’) rights, but also we have methods in place to ensure that they stay for as short a time as possible.

“Most residents see that we’re between a rock and a hard place. We try to do our best for everyone involved. We seem to have had more visits this year. It may be part and parcel of the weather, or that we are more tolerant.”

None of the passers-by spoken to by the Echo yesterday morning wanted to be named.

A man said: “They shouldn't be here. This is for people to visit, not set out a campsite.”

And another resident said: “You can't stop them, but the council could restrict things a bit more to make it more awkward for them.”

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