CREWKERNE: Gypsy family moves on after £45,000 court battle - Somerset

From View Online

A GIFT of land to three villages near Crewkerne is on course following the end of a four-year legal battle to evict a Gypsy family living on it.

Somerset County Council now plans to proceed with the transfer of the wooded beauty spot at Eggwood Hill, Lopen, part of which had been occupied by the Hughes family since May 2008.

After the transfer is complete Merriott, Hinton St George and Lopen parish councils will own the land straddling their boundaries, which is currently used as public exercise and relaxation space and was previously a roadside highways chipping store.

Cabinet member Councillor David Huxtable said: “I’m pleased that the residents have the uninhibited use of Eggwood Hill again, and that we can resume the process of transferring the land to the three parish councils. The county council has been frustrated that the legal process of getting our land back has taken so long, so it is good that we can now make progress with transferring the land for the local residents to enjoy.”

Eviction of the family had been applied for as long ago as 2009 but this time a court-set deadline of September 18th for the family of eight to move on was met.

A £1,800 clean-up operation was completed by contractors over the weekend and the site has been permanently secured. Much of what was left behind had been burnt, including a static caravan, but gas cylinders and a fridge were also found.

The cleaning bill is on top of more than £45,000 in legal expenses and other associated costs paid by the council in taking the occupying family to court and securing eviction since they moved onto the land in May 2008.