An Aberdeenshire resident has claimed that an illicit travellers’ camp near her home means she has to cross fields of human and animal waste when she walks her dogs.
The camp was established at Glebe Park in Drumoak, on the banks of the River Dee, around the end of May.
The picturesque Aberdeenshire Council-run venue, which is fenced off and its gate bolted shut, is home to a football pitch and benches which are used by locals.
But although it is managed by the council, the site is owned by the Church of Scotland.
Last night angry Drumoak resident Carean Clarke said the mess left by the group was “disgusting”.
She added: “My friend took her dog into the woods and it came back covered in human waste.
“I have been complaining to Aberdeenshire Council and the police for over a month regarding this intolerable situation that allows travellers to camp illegally and the ineffectiveness of authorities to react and resolve the issue.
“The people aren’t using the toilets in their caravans and are going into the woods. People are finding used toilet paper and waste all over the place.
“They have been coming and going, but when one group leaves, they are just replaced with another.
“The council seem to be dragging their heels, I’ve rang them many times to complain because I live so close to the site.
“They just keep telling me that they have to go through the proper process, but it is now getting totally intolerable.
“I’ve lived here 20 years and they turn up every now and then, but I think this time has been especially bad.
“It is a totally ludicrous situation.”
However, last night, a council spokesman confirmed that an eviction order had been granted by the courts and that legal action would be taken if necessary.
Recently, the council agreed to authorise North Esk Park in St Cyrus – which was established without planning permission in 2013 – as an official halting and touring site.
The administration is also seeking to set up further sites across Aberdeenshire.
According to council figures, between 30 and 50 unauthorised encampments appear in the region every year.