Travellers' site gets revamp

Permanent places are in short supply

Final preparations are taking place for a £500,000 refurbishment of Devon's last remaining permanent travellers' site.

The land at Sowton, near Exeter, has spaces for about 12 travellers.

It has been a stopping place for hundreds of years, but is in need of drastic refurbishment.

Peter Blayney, Devon's gypsy officer, said: "For the families that live here, this site is extremely important.

Travellers are forced into temporary sites

"We are not looking for the Hilton. We just want warm, secure and reasonable accommodation."

But there will be no room for traveller Dave Cheedle and his family of 12 who have been living in a Devon caravan park for the last five months.

Their plight highlights the shortage of permanent travellers' accommodation in Devon.

The Cheedles are facing eviction because the park closes during the winter.

"You have to pretend you're a holidaymaker to get a place," said Mr Cheedle.

"And even then the stay is restricted to 28 days."

The kids were offered places at a local school, but the family claim they were verbally abused.

Mr Cheedle said: "We are just living day by day.

"We do not know what is going to happen."