Travellers illegally pitch up at Forres Enterprise Park owned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Caravans have moved onto a site that just recovered from £5000-worth of damage caused by travellers two months ago.

Landowner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) paid to have rubbish and waste removed from Forres Enterprise Park in June but is hopeful that the latest group, which has been illegally camped since Sunday, will be more respectful of its property.

A spokesperson for the economic and community development agency said: “We are urgently taking all the appropriate measures to try and resolve the situation.

“Sheriff’s officers have been informed and Moray Council officers have been contacted to commence eviction proceedings as soon as possible. We have also arranged additional security patrols.”

Over the years HIE has made areas of the enterprise park secure from incursion, partly by placing large boulders at access points. Similar measures are planned to prevent further access to the field that is currently occupied.

A total of six caravans and vehicles including a quad bike arrived on Sunday. Access to the field next to HIE’s Horizon building was gained through wooden bollards damaged during the last visit and are awaiting repair.

“Sadly, the problem is not a new one,” added the spokesperson, “but it’s immensely frustrating to have to deal with it all over again.

“We’ve reached out to all the businesses and tenants affected. We share their sense of dismay that this has happened so soon after the last incident.”

A local resident who does not wish to be identified walks his dog at the enterprise park twice-a-day.

He said: “The travellers left a lot of muck last time including human waste and toilet paper.

“We don’t walk on the paths we would usually because of the travellers’ dogs, cockerels and hens.

“I’ve just witnessed another van arriving with garden waste. They’re tidying up folk’s gardens and being paid in cash, only to dump the stuff in the bushes at HIE.”

The man believes the visitors are spoiling the enterprise park and creating a health hazard.

He added: “If we cut posts to get onto someone’s private property then dumped waste all over it, we’d be charged and put in the cells.

“Time and time again, it just goes on and on, and nobody does anything about it.”

It is understood that no one was charged for the damage caused during the travellers’ stay from May 21 to June 3.

Police Scotland confirmed they are aware of the current encampment and a Moray Council Unauthorised Encampment Officer is liaising with those involved.

The Forres Gazette approached the group staying on the enterprise park for comment.

A spokeswoman said: “We're private people and we don't want to be in the paper.”

Moray Councillor Draeyk van der Horn (Forres, Greens) pointed out that the travellers’ nomadic lifestyle is recognised and protected.

He said: “Moray Council’s protocols were developed following extensive consultation with other agencies and representatives of the gypsy/travellers communities.

“No one should leave a place worse than they find it - we need to ensure this principle is understood and respected by everyone.

“Sadly, this issue extends to our wider society. Recently, I heard about tourists camping in the Cairngorms, throwing tents into fires, and leaving a mountain of plastic and other mess for others to clean up.

“We must all do our best to support each other in not only keeping our environment clean and protected but also enhancing it.”