Despite my best endeavours, communication with Hambleton District Council to resolve the unenforceable Leeming Bar Industrial Estate and surrounding areas Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) fiasco has come to an impasse.

Last Friday, myself and Nigel Ward of the North Yorks Enquirer met with Councillor Carl Les at Leeming Bar to move the situation forward in a professional and reasonable manner. Carl is an HDC Councillor for Leeming Bar and Leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

Unfortunately, Steven Lister, HDC Director of Leisure and Communities, has avoided a follow-up meeting this week.

Unenforceable PSPO

The PSPO is unenforceable for many reasons. These include:

1. The PSPO states “overnight” yet overnight is not defined.
2. The signage, which must be on the public highway, is unlawful as it is not permitted signage within the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016.

In a report written by Steven, he confirmed this to be correct.

Motorhomers’ Invitation

I invite my motorhomer friends to join me at Leeming Bar to undertake direct action. The direct action will simply be an overnight meeting to discuss the PSPO.

Please email info@island-man.co.uk or phone 07826 439101.

Full Transparency

I will endeavour to inform Carl and Steven up to 24 hours in advance of any direct action. I will also text Carl our exact location when we are in situ.

This will allow HDC adequate time to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) against us. If HDC issue FPNs, they will be unenforceable in a court of law. In addition, to issue the FPNs in the full knowledge that they are unenforceable would a fraud.

Any FPNs issued will be challenged through the courts.

Door Remains Open

My door remains open to Carl and Steven to resolve the impasse.

We’re Not Going To Take It

I would like to dedicate the following to Carl and Steven.