Glastonbury, Somerset—famed for its spiritual heritage and the iconic music festival—has long been a safe haven for the traveller community and those embracing alternative lifestyles. However, this picturesque town is now grappling with an unprecedented influx of van dwellers, estimated at around 300, prompting growing concerns among residents and local officials about the social and environmental impact.
The town now holds the highest density of van dwellers per capita in the country, a reality that has pushed Glastonbury to what many describe as “saturation point.” Local Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke has urgently called for legislative reforms, advocating for a national caravan licensing and registration system to address the complex challenges posed by unauthorised encampments and inadequate living conditions.
Residents have raised alarms over rising anti-social behavior, littering, and public health issues linked to the surge. Complaints include discarded rubbish, human waste along footpaths, and disturbances that undermine the community’s quality of life and safety—concerns echoed by town councillor Lillith Osborn, who firmly states that “van dwellers are not welcome,” emphasizing the strain on services and infrastructure without corresponding council tax contributions.
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MP Dyke highlights that many caravans are substandard and sold in an unregulated market, leaving vulnerable occupants in precarious situations. She points out that Glastonbury attracts a diverse range of van dwellers, including those from Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller backgrounds, alongside individuals choosing van life or forced into it due to housing insecurity.
The town lacks essential sanitation facilities, which exacerbates tensions amid growing numbers. Compounding the issue, the sale of permanent traveller sites by a previous Conservative-led council has left Somerset without transition sites. In response, Somerset Council plans to develop permanent pitches with better security and welfare support to manage the situation more effectively.
Voicing the human side of the issue, van dweller Deej McCloud, who embraces a nomadic lifestyle, speaks of the challenges he faces, including hostility from some residents. He urges for community understanding, stressing that eviction alone won’t solve the underlying problems and calling for a compassionate approach that recognizes the vulnerability of many van dwellers.
As Glastonbury navigates this complex crossroads, the push for national regulation and local infrastructure improvements underscores a broader need to balance tradition, compassion, and practical governance in addressing the realities of modern-day nomadic living.