Injunction granted against Travellers in West Leeds

From Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council has been granted indefinite injunctions against the Travellers on Wortley Heights, Armley Gyratory and Hedley Chase.

At Leeds County Court yesterday (Monday 26 March) the injunction was granted for the three sites after a run of encampments in the area sparked concerns for local residents.

The injunction will stop the specific Gypsy and Travellers families who have been unlawfully camping on the three sites in close succession from doing so in the future.

The council have pursued the injunction route as an alternative measure to break the circle of encampments in close succession on public land. This will save the council from having to apply for eviction orders at these sites in the future., and therefore save money.

Councillor Peter Gruen, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods and housing said:

“This is an excellent result, and seeks to further make clear the council’s stance on unlawful encampments.

“We have been working hard to reduce the number of encampments across the city on public land, and this injunction is another step forward. In these specific areas there were a number of encampments in quick succession which caused disruption and concerns for the local community, and therefore needed to be tackled.

“This injunction will help to save us money in the long term, as we are not having to continually serve eviction notices to Travellers who move between sites in a local area."