Unauthorised Encampments
Officers from the council's Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) will visit the site of any unauthorised encampments as soon as we are aware
They will:
- Engage respectfully with Gypsy/Travellers and offer support services/referrals
- Identify the encampment's location (Council vs. private land)
- Ascertain intended length of stay
- Engage with other Community Safety Partners as necessary
- Determine if the encampment is on WLC land where they will contact Legal Services to prepare a Notice to Quit (NTQ)
- Determine if the encampment is on private land where they will liaise with the landowner for them to take any action
- Hand-deliver NTQ.
- Contact necessary partners re compliance of NTQ /eviction process
- Arrange clear-up process and evaluate impact
Here are the current sites we are aware of and the actions taken:
Council Owned Land
Site location | Date Service notified | Action Taken | Notice to Quit Issued | Passed to Legal Services | Monitoring | Date left site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xcite Linlithgow | Sunday 20 July 2025 | SNT officer site visit on Sunday 20th July 2025 | 20 July 2025 | 22 July 2025 | From 21 July 2025 to 29 July 2025 there have been daily visits from Safer Neighbourhood Team to Travelling Family | TBC |
Privately Owned Land
Site location | Date notified | Actions | Landowner Notified | Update from Landowner | Monitoring | Date left site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westerton Road in Broxburn | Tuesday 29 July 2025 | SNT officer site visit on Tuesday 29 July 2025 | Tuesday 29 July 2025 | |||
| Brucefield Industrial Estate | Tuesday 29 July 2025 | SNT officer site visit on Tuesday 29 July 2025 | Wednesday 30 July 2025 |
Please note that West Lothian Council does not currently have a designated site for Gypsy/Travellers. All encampments are unauthorised and self-selected by the community while passing through the area.
