We live in 'Caravan City'...our beds are like coffins but it's too expensive to rent here
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Published 2024-03-25
But locals are despairing over the growing number of people choosing to make the lush green area their home - by setting up camp in vans and motorhomes.
In 2024 the scenic south west city was not named in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live round-up for the first time in the guide’s 12-year history - having previously topped the list in 2017 - in part due to its “ruthless” property market.
According to 2023 figures, Bristol is the most expensive place to live in Britain outside London.
It’s the lack of affordable homes that have forced hundreds of people to give up on conventional living and turn to a life on wheels.
A recent report from Bristol City Council says there are now up to 800 inhabitants of vans, motorhomes and caravans around the Downs - made up of Clifton Down and Durdham Down.
It’s now the city with the largest number of van dwellers in the UK, and angry residents say they are “disgusted”.
The free parking makes life easier for those living in the 650 vehicles - a figure which has quadrupled since 2020 - in the area, recently dubbed ‘Caravan City’.
Helen Morris, 79, has been walking the Downs area for 40 years, and lived there since 2013.
She tells The Sun: “I think it’s disgusting that they are allowed to live here.
“They’ve parked directly on our road in the past and I’ve called the police because of the noise and mess.
“They make such a mess with their rubbish, I’d like them to disappear and think the council should do something about it."
Read more: www.thesun.co.uk/news/26832966/caravan-city-bristo…
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All Comments (21)
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12k a year rent + bills on minimum wage ..i do not blame any of them , its survival .
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How does the government have a duty of care to illegal immigrants but not to our own.
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Whilst the government gives imports free homes, money, phones and food, is this what we pay taxes for.
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The UK is starting to look like America now and skid row.
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We are becoming a nation of nomads all around the world, I am in Australia and live in a caravan I bought 3 years ago, it is parked on private property but the government now wants to ban caravan living on private property. The entire planet has gone completely bonkers.
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What is scary is that these are all pretty decent, hard working people.
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The reality Britain is now living in ………where working people can no longer afford a home ….and are destined to living on the streets.! 😢
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Why complain, just leave them alone, they're doing no harm. In fact put yourself in their shoes.
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There is a caravan round the corner on the road where two people are living in. I've not complained as they probably lost their home and only want to exist and a place to sleep - better than the street.
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Been 20 years van life now, well boat life too, but off grid. Get rid of rubbish daily, always keep all water bottles full and smile and be friendly to everyone is what I'd suggest.
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Why don't the locals stop protesting about them being there and instead protest to the council for affordable housing so people are not forced to live there
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It might be an eyesore for some, but the reality doesn’t change that something so basic as housing has now become unattainable for even the middle class. My own home has quadrupled in value in the past decade alone, and is now at a price that many earning in excess of 100k simply can’t afford! At least you guys picked a decent bunch to speak with…
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Thank you for listening rather than judging people that live this way.
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the sad thing is there are some people who would prefer these caravanners to be homeless, than parked there.
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Cant believe this is a Sun news story. Balanced, sensitive, sympathetic and very well presented. Excellent.
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The Labour Council is more interested in giving permission to building student accommodation rather than Bristolians.
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Instead of the council complaining about the mess, they should build facilites for them to dispose of their waste etc
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Makes complete sense to live this way if you are single person ! When rent is around £800-1300 ! If you are on minimum wage that's around £1400 take home on 40 hour week ! you just can't live that way , makes more sense to get Van or Caravan and live for FREE. after all we all just need a Bed and somewhere to eat and wash anyway.
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Councils need to allocate more land for this, as the way rents are , this way of life is only going to become more common.
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The residents are up in arms! Then give these BRITISH PEOPLE somewhere to bloody live! How dare Sunak abandon our people in need for illegals who are here simply for the free ride! God bless these people who need a home ❤❤❤❤❤
