Increase in number of caravans in Buckinghamshire Council area
The number of traveller caravans in the Buckinghamshire Council area has risen by 60 per cent over the past two years.
Data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government shows the largest recorded increase in numbers, with a rise of 560 caravans.
In 2023, there were 650 caravans recorded, compared with 1,210 in 2025. This comes amid a continued wave of planning applications and approvals over the past 12 months.
As well as authorised permanent sites, the data also includes temporary set-ups on farmers’ fields or land owned by councils, such as parks and cricket grounds.
Unauthorised camps have also appeared across the county in recent months.
Last week Buckinghamshire Council secured an urgent High Court injunction after caravans were seen moving onto land in Ashley Green near Chesham, despite plans having been refused.
The authority said it took “swift and decisive” action against the unauthorised development. It put a stop to any works, occupation or alteration to the land.
This includes bringing any more caravans or materials to the site, creating new tracks, installing services, depositing waste or assisting others in moving onto the land.
Peter Strachan, the council’s planning boss, said: “This kind of unauthorised development is completely unacceptable, and I want to be absolutely clear that Buckinghamshire Council will not hesitate to use the full extent of the law to protect our area from harmful unauthorised development.
“We will continue to monitor the site closely and will pursue further legal steps if required.”
Earlier this year, a group of travellers were accused of holding Dinton, near Aylesbury, to “ransom”.
A traveller family bought the plot in the village last year, and on February 28, three caravans, a mobile home, and lorries moved onto the site.
Villagers who were protesting at the camp, which is in a conservation area, claim they were approached by two men from inside the site who told them if they wanted them to leave, they could buy the land back for more than £600,000.
It is believed that similar-sized plots on the site had originally been bought for around £15,000.
Cllr Mark Winn, the cabinet member for housing, has said the Buckinghamshire Gypsy and Traveller Service has seen less activity in the last few months, which reflected nomadic activity over the winter season.
In a report Cllr Winn wrote: “Several sites have been reported as unauthorised encampments.
“However, these sites are unauthorised developments, where the occupants have purchased land and are living on it without the required planning permission.
“The planning and enforcement team have been provided with the necessary information and evidence.
“This collaborative approach ensures sites are flagged at the earliest opportunity and any required enforcement action can be progressed.”