# Council blames High Court delay for failing to evict travellers

> Uttlesford Council admits High Court delay blocked eviction of travellers who built over field in Bank Holiday 'land grab'.
- Title: Council blames High Court delay for failing to evict…
- Summary: Uttlesford Council admits High Court delay blocked eviction of travellers who built over field in Bank Holiday 'land grab'. Uttlesford District Council…
- Keywords: uttlesford district council, essex, travellers, high court, planning enforcement, bank holiday, land grab, eviction, planning application, public road, news, entertainment
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16142655/Council-blames-High-Court-delay-failing-evict-travellers.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-09-18T16:37:22+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: uttlesford district council, essex, travellers, high court, planning enforcement, bank holiday, land grab, eviction, planning application, public road, news, entertainment
## Council fails to act on planning breach
Uttlesford District Council did not act until four days after May Bank Holiday when it served a temporary stop notice.
## High Court injunction obtained
On May 7, Uttlesford District Council obtained an interim High Court injunction before this was made permanent after a full hearing before Mr Justice Sweeting on June 18.
## Court documents delayed
The council has not received the sealed order, written judgment, or approved transcript from the High Court three months after the injunction was made permanent.
## Councillor explains delay
John Evans, Cabinet Member for Planning, suggested the High Court was to blame for the council's inaction because it has not issued written judgment for the case.
## Residents protest council inaction
Up to 60 locals protested outside Uttlesford District Council's offices on Thursday night holding banners voicing concerns about the council's lack of action.
## Similar incident in Sawbridgeworth
East Herts Council acted swiftly to stop a similar unauthorised traveller site development after Bank Holiday in Sawbridgeworth.
## Council warned of traveller activity
The council received warnings on April 15 and April 30 about travellers trying to secure base material for the site.
## Land ownership confirmed
A Land Registry search showed the land was owned by a property company that paid £125,000 for the site a year earlier.
## No emergency plan for enforcement
The council has no out-of-hours emergency cover for planning enforcement matters and updated its policy just weeks before the development.
## Residents' statement on privacy
Residents said the area inside their gates is private space where their families live and children should feel safe.
## Council reviewing enforcement
The council has commissioned officers to review its planning enforcement processes following the Willows Green incident.
## Site remains unevicted
The four-acre plot of land has been allowed to remain for four months with travellers concreted over the field.
## Planned enforcement action
The council is expected to take further enforcement action once it receives the court documents.
## Residents' safety concerns
Residents reported alleged threats and intimidation from travellers for speaking up against the site.
## Planning officers intimidated
Planning officers felt intimidated by travellers who turned up at council offices to argue they were being made homeless.
## Site development timeline
Workers and around 30 vehicles moved in on the 'beautiful' wildlife haven hours after council officials left for May Bank Holiday.
## Key takeaway

Uttlesford District Council failed to evict travellers who concreted over a field without planning permission due to High Court delay, leaving the site unevicted for four months.