‘They lump us all together’: van-dwellers and homeowners clash over life near Bristol Downs

Residents have lobbied the council to remove the 50-100 vans and caravans in Bristol Downs park. Photograph: The Guardian

Lee James is cowering in the rusting Mercedes Sprinter van he calls home. He is worried sick by the growing campaign to evict van-dwellers like him from historic parkland in the wealthy north-west of Bristol.

“I’m not in the greatest headspace today … I wouldn’t have anywhere to go [if I was evicted] … this is my home,” he said in the gloomy interior. “I just wish there was more kindness.”