Tuesday 27 March 2012

Meriden Gypsy latest: Travellers and Solihull Borough Council thrashing out date to leave site

From the Birmingham Mail

A GROUP of Travellers who set up an illegal camp on greenbelt land near Solihull have lost their case in their battle to remain.


The Gypsies, led by Noah Burton, lost their appeal against the Secretary of State for communities Eric Pickle’s decision to refuse them planning permission, this afternoon.

Judge Robert Owen, sitting as a subsidiary of the High Court, spent 90 minutes considering five areas of concern put forward by Mr Burton before dismissing their case.

Judge Owen said: “In the circumstances of this case, there is no legal or proper basis to justify interference with the decision and application is dismissed.”

Judge Owen also said costs should be paid by the complainant.

Members of Residents Against Inappropriate Development who have been manning a counter camp opposite the gypsies site on Eaves Green Lane for nearly 700 days, welcomed the outcome.

David McGrath from RAID, said: “This is a comprehensive rebuttal of the Travellers case.

“A learned judge has found that there is no inequality in the way that the council and Secretary of State dealt with the case. there is no merit in the planning application whatsoever.

“We hope that the Travellers do not try a Dale Farm style appeal funded through legal aid.”

A hearing to decide the date by which they must leave will begin at the same court at 2.15pm.

see also:

The Coventry Telegraph - Travellers lose high court battle to remain in Meriden

The Independent - Travellers lose Solihull planning appeal

Solihull Observer - Meriden Travellers lose appeal

BBC - Gypsies agree date to leave Meriden site

The Independent - Travellers given year to quit Meriden site

The Daily Mail - Judge gives Gypsies on illegal camp a year's grace (despite fact they were told to leave five months ago)

The Coventry Telegraph - Meriden Gypsies to stay on illegal site for a YEAR - despite losing high court battle

The Solihull News - THE group of Gypsies who set up an illegal camp on greenbelt land in Meriden have been given a year to leave the site.

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