Travellers given time to fight eviction - Essex

From the Harlow Star

TRAVELLERS trespassing on Latton Common have been granted leave to appeal against an eviction order granted to landowners Harlow Council.

The group set up their illegal camp 10 days ago after being forced to move on from a site near the emergency helipad in Netteswell Plantation by police.

According to Harlow Council, they gained access to the common by smashing through a padlocked gate.

Following fruitless attempts to persuade the group to leave, the authority then started legal proceedings against the trespassers last Wednesday, culminating in a hearing at Chelmsford County Court on Friday.

But although the judge upheld the authority’s application for possession of the land – the first step in the eviction process – he also gave the Travellers seven days to appeal against the terms of the order.
This means that the council must now wait until tomorrow (Friday) to see if the travellers - who were not represented at the hearing - make contact with the court before making any attempt to forcibly evict the group with help from police.

Councillor Emma Toal, portfolio holder for youth and citizenship, said the authority’s hands were tied by the legal process.

"We know that residents want to see this situation resolved sooner but there is a legal process we have to follow," she said.

"This is about protecting the town’s green spaces and upholding the law.

"We will have to see what happens but the council and the police will continue to talk to the Travellers and monitor the encampment."

Cllr Toal also warned local businesses and private landowners to secure their property to prevent the group from setting up camp elsewhere in the town following their eventual eviction.

"We are taking steps to protect other land and we are encouraging private landowners and businesses to ensure that their property is also secure," she added.