One YMCA in Watford has explained why it has let a caravan stay at its car park for months after claims local residents were unhappy.

The charity, which offers homelessness support, said it has been “actively supporting” the family at its Orbital Community Centre in Haines Way, while working with the borough council to find them “a more appropriate location as soon as possible”.

It comes amid a resident claiming they have been “living there for months”, and that “local residents have voiced their concerns and asked they be moved on but YMCA are refusing”.

Watford Observer:

The charity’s CEO, Guy Foxell, said: “While we do not believe that the car park is a suitable location for anyone to make their home, we have been actively supporting the family concerned during their time on our site, while also working with the local authority to make sure they are moved to a more appropriate location as soon as possible.”

He added: "A relocation will be better for the family, but also ensure that the Community Centre site can be fully accessed by users from the wider community.

"We are working with Watford Borough Council, as landlord, to look at increased access control options at the site to ensure the car park is used for its primary purpose moving forward."

The borough council has been contacted for comment.