Plans for hundreds of dedicated spaces for van-dwellers in Bristol revealed as numbers surge
Bristol City Council estimates there are up to 700 lived-in vehicles and caravans across the city.
Officers say the spaces will give people a safer alternative to living on the roadside and will include services like running water, toilets and waste collection for a weekly fee.
It's developing a comprehensive new policy to address the growing number of people living in vehicles across the city.
Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, acknowledged the challenges facing the city.
He said: "We are actively looking to provide more meanwhile sites, where vehicle dwellers can be offered a safer alternative to living on the roadside and access to basic services like toilets, water and rubbish bins, for a weekly fee.
"We want to try and make sure we have about 250 spaces available at meanwhile sites across the city. Achieving this number will make a huge difference to all communities as it will give vehicle dwellers the opportunity to move from the kerbside.
"We are also in the process of setting up service sites where people can access water and waste disposal but cannot stop overnight.
'People living in vehicles can experience poor health and other vulnerabilities, and our focus must be on finding sustainable solutions and support options.
"However, if an encampment, or individuals within an encampment, start to have a negative impact on the area in which they live, we need to make sure we have a robust and clear policy for when we will take action.'
It comes as Labour Bristol North West MP, Darren Jones, whose constituency includes Durdham Downs has urged the city council to do more about van dwellers.
He said: "I've asked the council today to do three things.
"One, to think about how they can facilitate more permanent sites around the city for people that are in temporary accommodation.
"Two, to get up there and talk to people to figure out why they're there so they can signpost them to get the right support they need so they can move on.
"And three, to think about how they can make stronger enforcement on people who are unwilling to engage and to move on to better accommodation."
Watch Darren Jones MP call on the council to provide more permanent sites for those in temporary accommodation
The council has announced plans for a citywide consultation in September 2025 as part of efforts to create a more sustainable approach to managing vehicle dwelling, which has increased significantly in recent years.Latest estimates suggest there are between 640 to 680 lived-in vehicles and caravans on the kerbside, on private and council sites, with some squatting on land across Bristol.
This figure does not include Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups who visit the city throughout the year.
Last month tensions were high as hundreds of people marched across the Bristol Down s to protest at what they say is the council's failure to protect van-dwellers and locals who wish to enjoy green space in the city.
Campaigners say it puts pedestrians at risk and is damaging to the environment.
Cllr Parsons said: "We understand that the current situation is not sustainable, and the council is taking a proactive stance on addressing issues.
"The number of vehicle dwellers in Bristol has grown significantly in recent years and this has brought with it new challenges.
"Fundamentally we want to make sure that all communities, including those living in vehicles or caravans, and those in the surrounding communities, have a meaningful and fair chance to live healthy and safe lives.
'We know that we need to reduce the need for so many people to live in vehicles, and remain committed to increasing the number of well-built, affordable homes in Bristol so that people have a safe and secure place they can call home."
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