UK city to start charging people living in vans council tax

Here's what this means for van dwellers

According to ITV, locals in Bristol are getting frustrated as the housing crisis is creating a new crisis on the streets, as hundreds of van-dwellers crowd out beauty spots.

One of these is Clifton Downs, which has been protected since the 1860’s for public use.

However, a new need has emerged due to a housing crisis in the 21st century.

More than 600 van dwellers live across Bristol and more than a hundred along the Downs, as per ITV, and this has created tension between the residents in the surrounding area and those living curbside.

Bristol City Council recently allocated derelict land that people could pay to use, while pitches are available on the so-called "Meanwhile Sites" for van dwellers for around £140 a month.

This pays for waste removal services, a gated entrance and a communal tap, however, from April 1, on top of this charge they’ll have to pay Band A council tax.

Tensions have been rising across the city over the number of van dwellers, as last year, hundreds protested against one of the UK’s largest van communities, claiming that the environment was being damaged.