Shhhhh sorry but I wanna whisper something about Bristol

gratefulj

Guest
I know it's not a secret as evidenced by one of the full-timers permanently based there who said"yeah it's listed as a place to stay on some European website" when I commented on the amount of vehicles parked up but I am also sensitive to the fact that there are people living there full time.
The spot I'm talking about is the OU on Parrys Lane and I spent 2 nights there last weekend. The reason I'm writing this post is that the experience I had there was incredibly positive and reinforced my optimism about the lifestyle change I have made to live in a tiny motorhome fulltime.
The spot is a quiet one way street in the middle of what I would I would call a park but reminded me very much of Clapham Common in London and is within easy reach of everything. The first morning I got up early to walk the dog and counted 25 motorhomes parked up (I've got a photo) everything from little Suzuki vans right up to big 6 wheel Hymers with every other type of self build in there as well. The spot is immaculately tidy and I spoke to a couple of people who told me that they have had people stop and dump rubbish or not pick up dog poo but that they just went and cleared it up themselves. Half the vans moved off in the day(as did I) but some were back again that evening along with others and there was for me a feeling of harmony, respect and community that I feel is rare nowadays in society. Also I think its a very rare thing to have a spot like that in the middle of any city, the parking was free but restricted to 5 hours in the day though I got the impression it wasn't heavily enforced and it's obviously been a spot for sometime and is clearly accepted as such. This may be due to the diligence and respect of the full-timers and visitors in not wanting to balls it up for everyone and I feel very grateful that it is there for people like me (and possibly you) to have a safe place to rest in a busy UK city.
 
I know the place well, as we're from Bristol. And have actually stayed there as it's close to her parents.

The parking restrictions were changed relatively recently, and I'm not sure how people can park there full time and not be challenged.

Anywho, you're right about it being kept clean and a great place to be so close to town but in a big open park (Durdham downs it's called for others)

Hopefully it can continue as is!
 
nobody really wants to move people on round here, it's such a can of worms . if people are working full time and still can 't afford to pay rent , then getting pushy with them gets nobody's vote. which as you see , can be handy ! loads of places to stay once you get to know the area
 
The price of rent or bought homes mainland has gone mad and no wonder folk have to live out in vans,home are a fraction of the price here,esp in the republic.
It must be down to the price of clay to make bricks or maybe the lack of it.
I fell sorry for people living near london as from what i see rent is just plain daft.
If every one stopped paying it the sys and price would drop fast when greedy folk went bust.
 
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nobody really wants to move people on round here, it's such a can of worms . if people are working full time and still can 't afford to pay rent , then getting pushy with them gets nobody's vote. which as you see , can be handy ! loads of places to stay once you get to know the area

Bristol has reared its head before new age traveller types latest post show folk contributing to the local economy and keeping the gaff tidy, It seems a city that accommodates alternative lifestyles so good for them pity others don't follow, whether it is a chosen lifestyle for some folks or necessity I suspect a combination of both nevertheless acceptance of various lifestyle and cultures can only be a credit to the city indeed any city

Channa
 
My son stayed on our garden in a caravan for over a year in order to save money for his deposit on a small flat. Social housing is a joke and with my son working and having no convictions or drug dependence a council house was out of the question.

Living in your garden is against the law,saw a program on box about it ,seems we are screwed at every corner by government wanting there pound of flesh and more.
 
Living in your garden is against the law,saw a program on box about it ,seems we are screwed at every corner by government wanting there pound of flesh and more.

Serious question , anybody ever been done for it ?
 
everything is illegal , including standing around , obstruction , or wandering about ,walking abroad . it's whether authorities have the will ,or manpower,to prosecute these laws
 
everything is illegal , including standing around , obstruction , or wandering about ,walking abroad . it's whether authorities have the will ,or manpower,to prosecute these laws

Always some sh one t in street dobs folk in,you know the noisy type ,whats that in the corner of your shed mr brown.:lol-053:
 
I know it's not a secret as evidenced by one of the full-timers permanently based there who said"yeah it's listed as a place to stay on some European website" when I commented on the amount of vehicles parked up but I am also sensitive to the fact that there are people living there full time.
The spot I'm talking about is the OU on Parrys Lane and I spent 2 nights there last weekend. The reason I'm writing this post is that the experience I had there was incredibly positive and reinforced my optimism about the lifestyle change I have made to live in a tiny motorhome fulltime.
The spot is a quiet one way street in the middle of what I would I would call a park but reminded me very much of Clapham Common in London and is within easy reach of everything. The first morning I got up early to walk the dog and counted 25 motorhomes parked up (I've got a photo) everything from little Suzuki vans right up to big 6 wheel Hymers with every other type of self build in there as well. The spot is immaculately tidy and I spoke to a couple of people who told me that they have had people stop and dump rubbish or not pick up dog poo but that they just went and cleared it up themselves. Half the vans moved off in the day(as did I) but some were back again that evening along with others and there was for me a feeling of harmony, respect and community that I feel is rare nowadays in society. Also I think its a very rare thing to have a spot like that in the middle of any city, the parking was free but restricted to 5 hours in the day though I got the impression it wasn't heavily enforced and it's obviously been a spot for sometime and is clearly accepted as such. This may be due to the diligence and respect of the full-timers and visitors in not wanting to balls it up for everyone and I feel very grateful that it is there for people like me (and possibly you) to have a safe place to rest in a busy UK city.

I had a really bad experience when I stayed here over the New year. LOADS of hassle from dog walkers and drivers who seemed to take pleasure in blaring their horns at 5.30am right next to my van. Gave up when I woke up to find dog muck smeared on my windscreen. Not a good way to start 2020 !
 
I stopped there a couple of times last year, kudos to Bristol council for allowing it,I also saw another spot with a load of campers when I was on the train into the city,not a clue where it was though.
 
Living in your garden is against the law,saw a program on box about it ,seems we are screwed at every corner by government wanting there pound of flesh and more.
We got told this by our insurance company. At least they said it was against something or other to stay in a motorhome on someones drive and they would not be insured. The only option to do this is with a fulltime policy that gets you covered by insurance but not by bylaws (We have a 9 month one)
Winter in the uk on a van is just hard and costly to keep warm, so it's nice when posts like this come up, good on a small community.
 
Living in your garden is against the law,saw a program on box about it ,seems we are screwed at every corner by government wanting there pound of flesh and more.
It is my understanding that having your son live in your Garden is not illegal ,certainly not in England provided that the "overflow" occupant(s) can use the toilet facilities within the house . There may be some local planning restrictions to overcome but as a caravan is a temporary structure in most cases it would be outside the regulations.Some Deeds also preclude the building of sheds or storing a Caravan on within the confines of the property........I used to own one and it was a dawn nuisance especially as one of the neighbours was a jobsworth.
 
The price of rent or bought homes mainland has gone mad and no wonder folk have to live out in vans,home are a fraction of the price here,esp in the republic.
It must be down to the price of clay to make bricks or maybe the lack of it.
I fell sorry for people living near london as from what i see rent is just plain daft.
If every one stopped paying it the sys and price would drop fast when greedy folk went bust.
A little simplistic in my view but broadly speaking its a lack of Social housing which is the main cause and a lack of joined up thinking .Social housing should be built by local authorities and it isn't happening , private developers pay lip service to social housing and planning regulations tend not to be enforced because local authorities are terrified they lose court actions. In many towns and cities rental prices are forced up because of Students. In Lancaster where I live Pop. approx 140,000 We have a student population of 20,000 which skews demand wildly for rented property. London is always a special case as for some reason people seem to think it's streets are still paved with Gold .The more popular places are, prices rise ...that's a fact of life and I doubt will ever alter. Not all landlords are greedy quite a few are just ordinary folk who have worked hard and bought property to help their pension income in later life .....trust me that particular path is a Rocky one as well ,....as friends of mine have discovered.
Back to the thread ..it is heart warming to hear of places such as this where the majority live together and pull together responsibly I have wild camped in my motorhome for many years,I worked mid week in London and used my motorhome everynight, I have rarely been moved on and never fallen foul of the Law but regrettably there are a minority whose behaviour has tainted us all and they are the reason for legislation being required.
 
It is my understanding that having your son live in your Garden is not illegal ,certainly not in England provided that the "overflow" occupant(s) can use the toilet facilities within the house . There may be some local planning restrictions to overcome but as a caravan is a temporary structure in most cases it would be outside the regulations.
Under forest of dean council you would need it registered as an annex to comply with the bylaws...
Some git would report you.....?.?
 

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