Travellers move on to land, tarmac it within hours ... then apply to stay
TRAVELLERS laid tarmac on a plot of land within hours of moving on to it before submitting a retrospective planning application.
The group began work on the village site as soon as they arrived, erecting wooden fences and laying paving slabs.
Before the day was out they had applied to the local authority to be allowed to stay there.
The land at Bowers Gifford in Essex is understood to have been bought by the travellers, making it difficult to move them. As the owners, the plans they have submitted are classed as an unauthorised development rather than an illegal encampment.
The site is a short distance from the notorious Dale Farm camp, where up to 1,000 travellers lived illegally at one point until they were finally evicted by police amid violent scenes after a ten-year legal battle. The cost to taxpayers was millions.
The site is close to Pitsea Cemetery and falls under the jurisdiction of Basildon council, which was alerted by independent councillor Kerry Smith on Saturday morning.
An email he received from Phil Easteal, of the council’s regulatory services department, said: ‘The incident was picked up by the emergency duty officer after reports were received that unauthorised development was taking place.
‘Most of the fencing, laying of hardstanding and delivery of caravans on to the site were all accomplished within a 24-hour period.
‘Unfortunately, the Land Regis- try has yet to record the change of ownership but we can see that someone is in the process of registering their interests in the land.’
He added that at the same time a planning application was submitted online seeking permission to change the use of land to provide accommodation for a ‘gypsy traveller family’. The application is for one static caravan and three touring caravans, as well as parking spaces for two cars.
Villagers were furious that the travellers had been able to sidestep the authorities.
Karen Dopson said: ‘They appear to be setting themselves up for a long stay, which is worrying.
‘Everyone around here is concerned and rightly so. We do not want them there. They are adjacent to a huge field that used to have football pitches. What will stop them taking that over?
‘I don’t understand why the council, or the police, can’t do more about the issue.’
Another local, who didn’t want to be named, added: ‘It’s quite clever really. It will take ages for the council to get its head round what they are going to do about this. What is worrying is that this could set a precedent and give other people ideas.’
Basildon Council confirmed that it had received a planning application and it had begun an investigation. Council workers have also visited the site.
A spokesman said: ‘Basildon Council officers responded to reports of unauthorised development taking place on a parcel of land in Bowers Gifford.
‘Coinciding with this activity, a planning application was submitted to the council seeing permission to change the use of land.’
‘Everyone here is concerned’