A YEAR-long battle to move travellers who had set up camp on a car park near Stourport Sports Centre has finally ended – just as the council has agreed a deal to sell the facility.

A protracted legal battle has ensued since the vans first appeared on the car park behind the centre in June last year, much to the frustration of residents, businesses and Stourport town councillors.

But Wyre Forest District Council announced the seven vans have now left the site, days ahead of the deadline of Monday, July 25 specified in a possession order obtained from court.

It also emerged that Stourport Sports Centre, closed to make way for the new Wyre Forest Leisure Centre which opened earlier this month, has been sold to an unnamed buyer for an as yet unspecified figure.

Councillor Marcus Hart, leader of Wyre Forest District Council, said he agreed the sale subject to contract under the ‘strong leader procedure’ which allows him to make decisions quickly without the need to go to cabinet.

Earlier this year, the Shuttle reported how fed-up residents had called for the district council to take action to remove the travellers. Three caravans arrived at the car park in June 2015 and a further four arrived in October.

The authority had said it had been unable to take action until “complex” housing issues were resolved.

It is not known where the travellers have now gone although the council believes they have left the district. The site has been fenced off and the area has been cleaned.

The council has not yet revealed how much the incursion has cost taxpayers.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council said: “We are pleased to report that the unauthorised encampment of travellers has moved from the car park at Stourport Sport Centre.

“Residents will be aware we have been working hard to resolve the situation. It was a very complex housing matter and we had to comply with strict legal requirements whilst dealing with it. As soon as we were able we began the eviction process.

“We would like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while we dealt with this complex issue.”

Former Stourport Mayor Cliff Brewer and current town councillor said: “It does seem a bit of a co-incidence that the travellers have finally been removed just as a sale of the centre is agreed.

“Marcus Hart hasn’t told anyone who is buying the site and for how much but we would like to know what is going to be there.”

Councillor Hart added: “Stourport Sport Centre has been sold subject to contract. While the matter progresses the Council is not able to give details as to the buyer or the price we accepted. Details of the transaction are, at this stage, commercially sensitive.

“If we announce the sale price now and the sale doesn’t proceed for any reason, it will affect the price we can get for the site if we have to put it back on the market.

“We cannot predetermine what the buyer wants to use the site for either. This would be subject to a planning application and there has not been one submitted at the moment.”