Cornwall Van Dwellers Face Homelessness Amid Council Crackdown

Residents living in caravans and horseboxes on farms in Cornwall are facing potential homelessness following a recent crackdown by the local council. Cornwall Council, identified as one of the top authorities in England for enforcing planning regulation infringements, has served half of its notices on caravans situated in agricultural fields.

“

It was such a shock

Dawn, a 59-year-old former care worker, expressed her heartbreak at being forced to move the horsebox she has inhabited for three years. She described the council's action, which involved aerial photography, as a "shock." The farmer hosting her has asked the residents to leave.

Cornwall's economy heavily relies on its 4 million annual tourists, drawn to its scenic beauty. This tourism boom has made it more profitable for landlords to offer short-term holiday lets, such as the estimated 24,000 Airbnbs and holiday homes, rather than providing long-term rentals for local residents. Coupled with approximately 13,000 second-home owners, competition for rental properties is fierce, driving up prices.

“

The council took aerial photos and captured my caravan. The farmer has asked us to leave.

Consequently, over 23,000 individuals are currently on the council's social housing register, awaiting a home. In recent years, a growing number of people have resorted to living in vans and caravans. Many of these individuals, like Dawn, are vulnerable older people who have found a sense of community and mutual support in these informal settlements, often because they have nowhere else to go.

“

If the council decides they can’t stay, where will they go? Everyone here is vulnerable with serious mental and physical health problems.