Travellers set up illegal camp near Newhall development - Essex

From the Harlow Star

TRAVELLERS trespassing on private land near the Newhall housing development in Harlow have been told to move on or face court action.

A total of nine caravans rolled onto the playing field – owned by estate developers Newhall Projects – off Milestone Road shortly after 7pm on Monday night.
Concerned residents immediately reported the illegal camp to police who are now working with the developers and Harlow Council to move the group on by 4pm this afternoon (Wednesday).

Matthew Byatt, head of sales and marketing for the developers, told the Star on Tuesday: "We want to assure residents that we are working closely with Essex Police and the Essex Community Safety Team to get this issue resolved.
"If they refuse to move on then our next move will be to go through the civil courts."

Mr Byatt confirmed that developers were in the process of contacting all residents living on the multi-million pound development, adding that it was "frustrating" for all affected.

"Not only do such incidents cause great concern for our residents but they can also be very costly to us as the private landowners," he said.

"The bills for damage caused from breaking-in and using the site, plus the cost of legal proceedings can run into the thousands. We are hoping to get things back to normal as soon as possible."