The number of Traveller caravans in Mendip has experienced a notable increase in the past year, shedding light on the ongoing accommodation crisis facing the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities.

Data released by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities disclosed a total of 306 Traveller caravans residing in Mendip in January this year.

The figure reflects a minor increase from the previous year, which recorded 305 caravans.

But 118 of the caravans did not have planning permission.

The Friends, Families, and Travellers (FFT) charity.expressed deep concern about the situation: "The chronic shortage of safe stopping places means that over 3,000 Gypsy and Traveller families in the UK are left with little to no options about where to stop and rest, and live in fear of retribution," a spokesperson said.

In the broader context, England reported a total of 25,333 Traveller caravans in January, with approximately 87% residing on authorised land.

Meanwhile, 3,187 caravans are stationed on unapproved sites, marking a 10% increase from last year. Most of these are on Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller-owned land.

FFT welcomed the introduction of the Government's new Traveller Site Fund grants but raised concerns over its effectiveness, noting that out of 16 grants awarded, only one went towards the development of a new transit site.

The charity emphasised the need for more significant efforts to tackle the accommodation crisis and provide the Traveller community with much-needed security. There are plans to build a large travellers' site will be built on the edge of Glastonbury on Porchestall Drove with a mixture of permanent and temporary transit pitches being provided.

The council has approved an initial planning inquiry (known as a screening request) for a site on the northern site of Porchestall Drove, which is currently in council ownership. Up to 40 pitches will be provided within the site, with 19 pitches being for permanent residents and 21 forming a transit site for temporary accommodation (i.e. less than three months).

Both the permanent and transit elements of the site will have full access to utilities (i.e. electricity, water and toilets), with eight amenity buildings being provided with showers and washing facilities. Once up and running, the site will be managed by the Elim housing association, with a manager and two site officers being recruited to operate the facilities and support the residents.

The project is expected to cost £3.28m to deliver, with £1.46m coming from the town deal and the remaining £1.82m coming from other sources. The plans have had a mixed reception from residents in the town, with some acknowledging the need for a permanent site, and others voicing concern.

Recently, the government announced an allocation of £10 million in funding dedicated to improving Traveller sites in nine councils across England, including Kent, Lancaster, Cornwall, Swindon, and Preston.

Dehenna Davison, the Minister for Levelling Up, voiced her support for the councils: "We are supporting councils to improve Travellers' life chances and build cohesion between the settled and Traveller communities." She further added that the funding initiative is just one part of the broader Levelling Up agenda aimed at improving opportunities for communities across the country.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated that investing in sites would reduce the number of unauthorised encampments and subsequently cut down enforcement costs for councils when dealing with unauthorised sites.

As the number of Traveller caravans in Mendip continues to rise, such measures offer a glimmer of hope towards resolving the long-standing issue.