Travellers move onto contentious Coventry field

A group of travellers have moved onto a Coventry field at the centre of a row between local people and a school.



Around a dozen caravans have moved onto land on Charterhouse fields just off the London Road.

It comes just weeks after Blue Coat School was given permission by the council to own part of the fields so it could change status and become an academy.

As part of the agreement, the school has ownership of the fields, which they use for PE lessons, but is required to allow the local community to use the land whenever classes aren’t happening.

The deal had to be altered after local people voiced concerns that they would be stopped from having access to the land.

They are still worried and are about to submit an application for a Village Green, which would prevent any building work on the site.

The school has asked them to drop the proposals as they are not intending to build on or fence the area off and a Village Green could damage their status as an academy.

The issues could become more complicated now with the arrival of the travellers.

The police have confirmed to Mercia they are aware of the situation and will work with the council if necessary.