22-Sep-2009, 11:49 AM
A group of travellers has sparked anger after setting up camp on community football pitches in Leyland.
Junior football teams have nowhere to train or play matches after a fleet of around 20 caravans arrived at the BTR playing fields off Centurion Way, in Farington, last Thursday.
One local team has already missed a match and more disruption is expe
cted at the site, which has recently undergone a £45,000 makeover for the new season.
Community leaders say the travellers broke onto the site by smashing a fence after being ordered to leave another site on a business park further down Centurion Way.
Coun Jack Adamson, of Farington Parish Council, which leases the site off developers Rowland Homes, labled the group 'criminal.'
He said: "We have spent a lot of money and time getting that site sorted for the people of the community.
"I think it is disgusting that these people have broken in and set up camp on our land - it is criminal and it deprives the people of the community use of their facilities."
On Friday, Sue Whittam, clerk to Farington Parish Council, started legal proceedings to get the travellers moved off the site by serving them with a claim for possession of property order.
Police attended the site and notices were put up around the area calling for the travellers to attend a court hearing on Monday at Preston Magistrate's Court.
Sue said: "We are very disappointed and upset about this. The parish council has worked really hard on these facilities, which are used by local football teams.
"These people are on there right now churning up the pitches and causing a lot of damage, unfortunately.
"We are doing all we can but now we have to wait to see what the courts have to say."
More than four years ago it cost the parish council £2,000 to clean up the site after a group of travellers set up camp for less than 24 hours.
In the past five months, at least five illegal camps have appeared in the Chorley and Leyland area.
A law unto themselves if you ask me. They should just wade in with the riot police and move them on !
Junior football teams have nowhere to train or play matches after a fleet of around 20 caravans arrived at the BTR playing fields off Centurion Way, in Farington, last Thursday.
One local team has already missed a match and more disruption is expe
cted at the site, which has recently undergone a £45,000 makeover for the new season.
Community leaders say the travellers broke onto the site by smashing a fence after being ordered to leave another site on a business park further down Centurion Way.
Coun Jack Adamson, of Farington Parish Council, which leases the site off developers Rowland Homes, labled the group 'criminal.'
He said: "We have spent a lot of money and time getting that site sorted for the people of the community.
"I think it is disgusting that these people have broken in and set up camp on our land - it is criminal and it deprives the people of the community use of their facilities."
On Friday, Sue Whittam, clerk to Farington Parish Council, started legal proceedings to get the travellers moved off the site by serving them with a claim for possession of property order.
Police attended the site and notices were put up around the area calling for the travellers to attend a court hearing on Monday at Preston Magistrate's Court.
Sue said: "We are very disappointed and upset about this. The parish council has worked really hard on these facilities, which are used by local football teams.
"These people are on there right now churning up the pitches and causing a lot of damage, unfortunately.
"We are doing all we can but now we have to wait to see what the courts have to say."
More than four years ago it cost the parish council £2,000 to clean up the site after a group of travellers set up camp for less than 24 hours.
In the past five months, at least five illegal camps have appeared in the Chorley and Leyland area.
A law unto themselves if you ask me. They should just wade in with the riot police and move them on !
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