A Perthshire resident is calling for a change in the law to protect ”law-abiding citizens” after a group of Travellers moved nearby a few weeks ago.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, lives near the Travellers’ site in the residential area of Stormont Road, Scone.
Around five caravans, at least one van and several cars are now on the land, which is understood to belong to a private landowner.
Neighbouring residents told The Courier they have nothing against the Travellers, but feel they could show more consideration for them after moving in opposite a wooded area of the street.
One woman said she feels the law should be changed.
”If these people want a place to live, this is not it,” she said. ”I want the law changed to protect the law-abiding citizens. There is the whole of the UK and many remote areas they could go so I don’t understand why they moved here.”
She added: ”The mess being made, the noise from a generator and the unwanted presence of these people in the midst of an entirely residential area is totally unacceptable.”
The woman added: ”Surely this is illegal and something can be done to resolve this most unsatisfactory situation? The noise from the generator is constant I have to wear earplugs at night to help me sleep. They have around five caravans and several dogs but don’t pay any tax.”
Another resident, Ian Amatt, claimed he has had human excrement put into his wheelie bin and said that he feels ”intimidated” by the Travellers.
He said: ”I’ve lived here for nearly five years and it is a nice, peaceful area. I haven’t had any contact with the Travellers but have barricaded my gate at the back.
”Initially I thought they were only going to be here for a couple of days but they are still here.”
He added: ”What concerns me is what they are going to do with their rubbish or toilet waste. I’d put out my wheelie bin full of leaves but when I took it back it had toilet paper and some human excrement in it, which is disgusting.
”I have two children and don’t want them playing in this area. I am concerned at their presence. The police come around and check and the Travellers tell them they will leave but they haven’t.”
A council spokesman said it cannot move the Travellers as they are on private land.
He said: ”We’ve been down there to carry out all the relevant environmental checks, and everything is fine from that point of view. As this is private land, the council has no authority to move them on. The landowner was written to last week reminding him that the issue is his responsibility to deal with.”
Councillor Lewis Simpson, who represents the Strathmore ward, said he was aware of the Travellers at the site.