A GROUP of travellers had to be moved on from the derelict Ivy Hotel in Wroughton today after complaints from residents and nearby businesses.

The group, consisting of three caravans and a number of other vehicles, arrived over the Easter weekend.

They parked at the rear of the Ivy Hotel on Moormead Road, Wroughton. The site is located immediately next door to the Ladymead Care Home and backs on to the grounds of Prospect Hospice.

Since closing down in 2013, the hotel has become a regular target for vandals – most of the windows are now boarded up and a badly damaged car has been abandoned in the rear car park for many months.

The sensitive location chosen by the travellers, due to its proximity to the care home and hospice, led to concerned residents making contact with the land owner and the police in an effort to get them moved on.

Staff at Ladymead reported that although they had not caused any specific issues during their initial stay, the group attempted to gain entry to the Ivy Hotel building on Thursday afternoon causing a disturbance in the process.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “Police received a number of reports from residents about a group of travellers located on land in the grounds of the old Ivy Hotel, Wroughton.

“Officers have attended the site and located three caravans and three vehicles parked up with the travellers confirming their intention to remain on the land for an extended period of time.

“However, the landowner asked the group to vacate the site, and when this did not happen, officers attended on Friday morning at 8am to serve them with a notice to move on, they left at 11am.

“Our understanding is that they have now moved on to a new site owned by Swindon Borough Council and the police are working in partnership with the council to reach the best possible conclusion.

“The council will be taking the lead in the negotiations and will contact partnership agencies if required.

"The South and West Swindon Neighbourhood Policing Team have taken prompt action in resolving the encampment in Wroughton and have made Swindon Borough Council traveller liaison officer aware of today’s incident and are awaiting an update from the council.”

After leaving the Ivy Hotel site this morning, the same group of travellers moved the short distance to the car park opposite the Nationwide headquarters on Pipers Way.

Council officials were due to make contact with them this afternoon to assess their intentions and determine how long they planned to remain at the site.