Since 2022, ERCS has been working closely with the Minority Ethnic Carers of People Project (MECOPP) to investigate and address the range of environmental burdens faced by residents on Gypsy/Traveller sites in Scotland.

This report summarises the findings and learnings of our collaboration across five sites.

The Report

The environmental conditions of Gypsy/Traveller sites across Scotland are a significant concern, with Colin Clark, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of the West of Scotland, observing:

“If you stay on a local authority Traveller site, you will be close to hazards that nobody wants as a neighbour. Whether it is industrial estates, sewage works, A roads or vermin, you will likely have to contend with unacceptable situations and significant barriers to having a quality of life that most settled people in houses take for granted.”

Working with residents, our project used an environmental human rights-based approach to challenge and hold local authorities and housing associations to account to improve site conditions.

While residents said their confidence increased in understanding and exercising their rights, sustained support and stronger duty-bearer accountability are required to ensure their rights are upheld.