Travellers ordered off green belt land - Essex

From the Echo

ACTION is set to be taken against a group of Travellers in Thundersley after plans to create a permanent caravan site were thrown out.

The controversial proposals, to create a three-pitch caravan site on green belt at Janda Fields, in Fane Road, were unanimously rejected at a planning meeting on Tuesday.

The plans were submitted retrospectively after five caravans moved onto the site over the August bank Holiday weekend.

Now, Castle Point Council is gearing up to serve an enforcement notice to the owners requiring them to stop living on the land.

The Travellers have 28 days to comply with the notice or they could face legal action and be fined.

A spokesman from the council said: “Following the decision taken at Tuesday’s Development Control meeting the council will now be taking enforcement action against the occupants of the land.”

The Echo approached specialist planning consultant Alison Heine, who is working with the McCarthy family on the application, but they refused to comment.

However, they did confirm the family would be appealing the decision, sparking concerns the enforcement action will be delayed.

Owner Miles McCarthy made an emotional plea to councillors at the meeting earlier this week, urging it would not become another rendition of Dale Farm.

Mr McCarthy claimed the extended family wanted to create a home on the fields as his children need a stable education.

However, councillors dismissed the plans as planning policy does not consider Traveller sites appropriate development for green belt land.

Beverley Egan, Tory councillor for St Peter’s ward, said at the meeting, said: “It is clear to me from the council report that the officers who compiled it considered all the applicant’s circumstances very carefully and with due regard to planning law and guidance before making this recommendation.”