Caravanners remain at Yarmouth beach site after deadline

But the people living inside the caravans remain at the site.

In November, Norfolk County Council served Direction to Leave Land notices giving the caravanners on South Beach Parade until 10am today (January 5) to remove their vehicles from the area.

The Direction to Leave Land notice given to people living in caravans on South Beach Parade. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)This morning, John Smith - who since March has lived at the location in his converted former motocross race truck - remained at the site.

"I don’t want to mess the council around," he said. "If I have to go, I will. I want to come back here again, so I don’t want to tick them off.

"But at the same time, I've got to live somewhere. 

"It’s a lovely little spot here. And I don’t want to move."

Some of the caravans told to vacate the area on South Beach Parade. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Smith said he has planned where he will relocate to if he is forced off the site.

"I'm not going too far," Mr Smith added. "But I can't move at the moment because both of my batteries are flat."

He added that he had put the batteries on charge overnight in preparation to move, but the batteries did not charge correctly.

John Smith said his batteries had not charged properly. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Mr Smith's neighbour, Falklands veteran Ash Lee, said the situation was shameful.

He said: "We've all got our reasons for being here. 

"For me, years of bad health nearly cost me my leg. Once I recovered, I got out and came here, and this has done me and my health the world of good.

"It would be nice if the bigwigs decided to stop and just have a chat with us. We’re no different from any of them."

READ MORE: Waxham Sands tells caravan owners to store off site

Ash Lee, inside his caravan. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Further down the road, David Young was by his campervan, getting things in order.

"I was a bit worried about today," he said.

"I'm getting rid of my van and putting everything in storage. But I'm just a couple of weeks behind, so I hope they'll give us more time.

David Young said he was arranging to sell his campervan. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)"I've been here seven years with no bother. Then all of a sudden I'm being made homeless. It's very hard.

"I've always lived like this. I've never claimed housing benefit or anything."

Mr Young said he has been offered temporary accommodation and help to find a permanent home.

A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council said: "Local authorities are in contact with the individuals who have been living in unauthorised encampments in Great Yarmouth and urge all occupants to comply with the notices issued.

"Where a notice has not been complied with, all appropriate legal steps will be undertaken to continue the eviction process."