Esbies Travellers lose appeals against eviction from Sawbridgeworth estate - Essex

From the Harlow Star

APPEALS by Travellers against enforcement notices to have their caravans and mobile homes removed from Esbies estate in Sawbridgeworth have been thrown out.

Over the past few years, more than 20 structures have been illegally placed on the Green Belt site, which led to East Herts District Council serving enforcement notices in July 2010 giving the residents six months to vacate the area and two months to remove hardstanding, sheds and lighting columns.

The Travellers appealed against the notices, claiming that their “gypsy status” and personal circumstances needed consideration.

After a public inquiry which lasted more than 30 days over 18 months, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles dismissed their arguments.

Cllr Malcolm Alexander, EHDC’s executive member for community safety and environment, said: “We’re extremely pleased that the Secretary of State has upheld every one of our enforcement notices.

“Protecting the Green Belt is a priority for us and for residents, so we will continue to do whatever we can to preserve it.”

Among reasons cited in the Secretary of State’s report were that the site is in the Metropolitan Green Belt, where only very special situations justify development, and that the personal circumstances of the occupiers did not outweigh the harm caused to the belt through inappropriate development.

He also said the site is a flood risk area and caravans are highly vulnerable, which is particularly relevant when residents are young, elderly or in ill health, as was the case on Esbies estate.

Furthermore, he noted several plot holders had other places to live and that they had put down hardstanding, erected sheds and installed lighting columns illegally.

Also recognised in the report was the fact that there is a need for more Traveller pitches in the East of England. EHDC has also said it is aware of this, but felt strongly that the Esbies estate was not the right place for accommodation.

The 4.9-acre (2 ha) area of land, which is located between the River Stort and Forebury Estate, off Station Road, has a long and complicated history.

Esbies had been used for holiday homes and chalets since the 1940s, but was extensively developed before the turn of the century.

The site has since become a source of community upset, with locals claiming the unauthorised development has spoiled a valuable piece of amenity land.

EHDC first embarked on enforcement action in 2006 and has said, following this latest ruling, that it will take steps to ensure the enforcement notices are complied with.

Sawbridgeworth’s Herts county councillor, Roger Beeching, said: “It’s the process of the law and the process of the law must go through.”

He did warn, however, that it was not the end of the long-running saga, acknowledging that careful consideration would have to be given to the Travellers’ needs for new places of residence.