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
Safer Neighbourhood Team Officers will:
- Engage respectfully with Gypsy/Travellers and offer support services/referrals.
- Identify the encampment's location whether is is Council land or privately owned.
- Ascertain the Gypsy/Travellers intended length of stay.
- Engage with other Community Safety Partners as necessary, such as Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire Rescue Service.
- If the encampment is on West Lothian Council Land, Officers will served a Notice to Quit (NTQ) on the encampment and instruct legal services to start to prepare court action again the encampment.
- If the encampment is on private land Officers will liaise with the landowner for them to take any action.
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 - Bathgate | 6 /5/26 | 6/5/26 - SNT and Officers from NETS attended site.
| 6/5/26 | 7/5/26 | 7/6/26 - SNT Officers attended site. SNT Officers will continue to monitor site over weekend 11/5/26 - SNT Officers continue to engage. 12/5/26 - Operatives from Waste Services attended to clear area. 13/5/26 - SNT Officers continue to engage. Awaiting court date. 14/5/26 - SNT Officers continue to engage.. Awaiting court date. | 14/5/26 |
| Xcite - Linlithgow | 14/5/26 | SNT Officers attended | 14/5/26 | 18/5/26 | 14/5/26 - SNT Officers attended and Notice to Quit issued 15/5/26 - SNT Officers attended and engaged with travelling family. SNT Officers continued to visit the encampment over the weekend. 18/5/26 - Legal paperwork passed to Legal Team. 19/5/26 - Site visit carried out. 20/5/26 - Site visit carried out 21/5/26 - Joint site visit with Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. 22/5/26 - SNT Officers continue to engage with Xcite Staff and travelling families over weekend 25/5/26 - Case called to court - Eviction was granted by Sheriff SNT Officers continue to engage with Travelling families .
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Land Not Managed by West Lothian Council
Site location | Date notified | Actions | Landowner Notified | Update from Landowner | Monitoring | Date left site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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