Councils in bid for town-wide injunction against unauthorised Traveller sites

The High Court will next week hear an application by Harlow Council and Essex County Council for an interim town-wide injunction aimed at protecting land from current and future unauthorised Traveller encampments.

The local authorities said that – “after months of planning and gathering evidence” – court papers had been served this week (24 February) on existing unauthorised encampments at Coldharbour Road and Horsecroft Road.

Documents have also been posted on 454 parcels of land. These sites include 320 vulnerable sites, previously occupied sites, highway verges, schools and private land identified by the councils, as well as 134 parcels of land that incorporate cycle tracks.

The High Court hearing on the application for an interim injunction is scheduled for 3 March 2015.

In a statement the two authorities said: “Harlow Council and Essex County Council fully understand the frustration persistent unauthorised encampments have caused the community and appreciate that residents and businesses will want to know more about what an injunction could mean.

“As there is a legal process to follow in applying for an injunction and to not jeopardise any outcome, Harlow Council and Essex County Council cannot make any further comment until after the injunction hearing.”

The statement added that residents and businesses would be updated “as soon as it is possible to do so”.