Glastonbury Town Council has voted to spend up to £20,000 removing an unauthorised encampment from its land at Common Moor – while also forming a new working group to explore housing options for people living off-grid with a local connection to the town.

At an extraordinary meeting held behind closed doors on 24 March, councillors agreed to begin legal action under common law to reclaim the site, with the Town Clerk delegated to oversee the process and secure the area once cleared.

The motion passed by majority, with Cllrs Lillith Osborn (Conservative), Rik Cook (Conservative) and Terry Napper (Conservative) voting against. No councillors abstained.

In a follow-up motion, brought by Cllr Zoe Price (Green) and seconded by Cllr Nick Cottle (Liberal Democrat), the council also voted to form a working group to explore long-term alternatives for off-road living.

That proposal passed unanimously, although the same three councillors – Osborn, Cook and Napper – abstained.

The new group will consist of:

• Cllr Lokabee Lokabandhu (Green, St Edmund's)
• Cllr Michael White (Green, St Benedict's)
• Cllr Zoe Price (Green, St John's)
• Cllr Paul Manning (Independent, St John's)
• Cllr Terry Napper (Conservative, St Mary's)
• Cllr Steve Henderson (Independent, St Benedict's)
• Cllr Margaret Oakden (Conservative, St Mary's)

They will work alongside Somerset Council and other partners to look at potential sites and support models for people currently living on the roadside or without permanent housing.

The decision follows increasing public concern – and national media attention – over the rise in roadside encampments in and around Glastonbury. The issue has recently been covered by GB News, The Sun, the Daily Mail, The Mirror and the BBC.

With debate continuing over how Glastonbury balances enforcement with inclusion, the working group is expected to begin meeting in the coming weeks to explore real-world options and report back with proposals.