Dale Farm families lose appeal over housing

From the Echo

FAMILIES evicted from Dale Farm failed to persuade senior judges today that Basildon Council should have offered them another site instead of bricks and mortar.

John Sheridan, 34, estranged wife Barbara and Mary Flynn, aged in her 70s, were offered council accommodation along with scores of other families from the site, before the massive operation.

They appealed at Southend County Court, which threw out the case, but appealed in the Court of Appeal at London's High Court.

The court judged the council had not acted unreasonably or unlawfully in offering the flats or interfered with their human rights.

Appeal judges Sir Andrew Morritt, the Chancellor of the High Court, Lord Justice Patten and Lord Justice Pitchford.

They said there was "really no evidence" to support an argument that "possible sites" existed and a local authority could not be required to acquire land as part of a duty to provide accommodation for homeless people.

see also
from the BBC Dale Farm Traveller loses re-homing appeal

From the Traveller Solidarity NetworkDale Farm Travellers and supporters ‘dismayed’ at High Court defeat

From Inside Housing Court backs council in Travellers' housing row

From Local Government Lawyer Offer of bricks and mortar housing to homeless travellers not unlawful, rules Court of Appeal

From The Independent Traveller loses appeal against flat