Traveller site construction 'in breach of law'

6 hours ago 3

John Fairhall/BBC A drone image of an alleged unauthorised traveller development on the northern edge of Willows Green. A hole has been cut in a fence to allow access to an area which has been covered in hardcore. Several fences have been erected, dividing the field into plots.

A council has ordered construction work to cease on an alleged unauthorised traveller site.

Work began on land in Willows Green, near Felsted, Essex, within hours of Uttlesford District Council shutting its offices for the May Day Bank Holiday weekend on Friday.

A temporary stop notice issued by the council has now ordered work on the site to cease from 09:00 BST on Wednesday until 30 June.

A spokesperson for the landowner said they had stopped construction and wished to comply with the council notice, despite the authority receiving reports alleging work had continued beyond the deadline.

Supplied A Temporary Stop Notice, issued by Uttlesford District Council, attached to a telegraph pole. The notice is covered in transparent plastic.

The council told the BBC it was "aware of reports that activity has continued on the site".

"It is a criminal offence to carry out work in contravention of the temporary stop notice," a spokesperson said.

"We understand how concerning this is for local residents, and officers are working swiftly to gather evidence and consider the council's next steps.

"As legal proceedings are now under way, we are unable to provide further comment at this time, but we want to reassure the community that we are actively pursuing all appropriate enforcement actions within our statutory powers."

People guilty of breaching a temporary stop notice can be convicted in court and handed an unlimited fine.

Google A satellite image of a field on the northern edge of Willows Green. The field is surrounded on three sides by roads, and there are several buildings shown at the bottom edge of the image

Residents have already described to the BBC how lorries could be seen delivering materials, including fencing and septic tanks, after sundown on Friday.

The Conservative MP for the area, former Home Secretary James Cleverly, accused the travellers of "gaming the system".

Campaigner Sherrie Smith, who founded Gypsy and Travellers Essex, pointed out that people felt they had no choice but to build plots unlawfully and then seek retrospective planning permission later.

Essex Police has been contacted for comment.

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