Irish travellers are refusing to leave Phear Park, say council chiefs.

Exmouth Journal: Caravans in the grounds of Phear Park behind the Luccombe Oak on Thursday. Ref exe 1842-25-15SH. Picture: Simon HornCaravans in the grounds of Phear Park behind the Luccombe Oak on Thursday. Ref exe 1842-25-15SH. Picture: Simon Horn (Image: Archant)

Irish travellers are refusing to leave Phear Park, say council chiefs.

And now they have been served with an eviction notice to leave by this Monday.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) is taking legal action to remove the ‘trespassers’ from the council-owned beauty spot.

Between a dozen and 15 campervans and caravans parked in the park yesterday (Thursday).

The campervans are on a patch of land between the skate and play park and the main road, leading up to the LED café.

A spokesman for EDDC said: “We have already asked the gypsies/travellers to move on, as they are trespassing, however they have refused to leave.

She added: “East Devon District Council has this afternoon served the illegal occupiers of Phear Park in Exmouth with a notice to vacate the site by 9am on Monday 29 June 2015. If the occupiers fail to leave, then we will take legal proceedings to gain possession on Monday, which may include the use of a certified bailiff, who will be authorized to remove the occupiers and any personal belongings they leave behind.”

She said a welfare check had taken place in accordance with their procedures and Streetscene had installed two bin stations on the site, together with a large quantity of black bin bags.

She added: “The gypsies/travellers are apparently making good use of all these, which will help minimise clearance of the site when they have finally left.

“We appreciate that this situation is causing a considerable amount of concern and would like to reassure residents that we are doing everything within our power to ensure a speedy and lawful resolution.

“We will be monitoring the situation closely over the weekend.”

The Journal spoke to several of the travellers and one identified their group as ‘Irish travellers’.

He said that they had come down to Exmouth for a ‘two to three week holiday’.

Another added: “We don’t mean any harm, it’s a public place and we want to be left alone.”