Travellers have sparked fury by rapidly constructing an encampment on a wildlife haven in Willows Green, Essex, over the bank holiday weekend. MP James Cleverly accuses them of exploiting loopholes and calls for swift action.
Outrage has erupted in the idyllic village of Willows Green , Essex, following the rapid construction of what authorities are deeming an 'illegal' encampment over the recent May bank holiday weekend.
Conservative MP James Cleverly has strongly condemned the actions, accusing travellers of deliberately 'gaming the system' to exploit loopholes and circumvent regulations. The situation unfolded swiftly, with an organised group descending upon a four-acre wildlife haven near Felsted, immediately after the local Uttlesford District Council closed for the holiday period on Friday. Approximately 30 vehicles, encompassing cars, vans, and heavy machinery including diggers, were transported onto the land under the cover of darkness.
This coordinated effort involved the forceful removal of existing vegetation to prepare the ground for a substantial base of hardcore and tarmac. Aerial photography taken today reveals the alarming progress made, with fencing already erected and diggers continuing to deposit rubble, indicating a determined effort to establish a permanent site. Mr. Cleverly, visibly angered by the situation, personally visited the field and shared a video on Facebook, passionately calling for immediate and decisive action.
He emphasized the disruptive impact this development will have on the local community, highlighting the inherent unfairness of the situation. He pointed out the difficulty ordinary citizens face when attempting to schedule construction work outside of regular business hours, particularly on a bank holiday, suggesting that the timing of this operation was intentionally calculated to avoid scrutiny and impede enforcement.
This incident follows closely on the heels of Mr. Cleverly’s previous statements regarding what he perceives as a 'two-tier justice' system, where rules and laws are applied differently to travellers. He has consistently argued that the current legal framework is being exploited, allowing unlawful activities to proceed unchecked while hindering authorities from effectively intervening.
Prior to the encampment’s establishment, The Daily Mail had flagged this specific area as being at high risk, citing intelligence from a local council source who warned of plans to import thousands of tonnes of hardcore material for development over the bank holiday weekend. Mr. Cleverly further elaborated on this pattern, stating that travellers frequently occupy land without proper legal procedures, such as planning applications, and simply proceed with construction, a practice he asserts would not be tolerated for any other segment of the population.
The field in question was sold by a local farmer to a real estate company for £125,000 just a year ago, and has since been subdivided into approximately ten smaller plots, raising concerns that some were deliberately purchased by members of the travelling community. The construction work has been carried out around the clock, utilizing floodlights and generators, disrupting the peace of the picturesque hamlet and causing significant distress to residents whose homes overlook the site.
One local resident, a man in his 60s, expressed frustration with the council’s inaction, stating that they were warned about the potential for this development but failed to take preventative measures. He described the scene as chaotic, with constant noise and light throughout the night, predicting that by the time the council resumes operations on Tuesday, a fully-fledged caravan park will be established directly opposite their homes.
Criticism has been directed at the district council for not implementing an Article 4 Direction, which would have prohibited any permitted development on the land, or for failing to secure an emergency injunction to halt the construction. The case is being compared to the successful intervention by Basildon Council in 2006, where a High Court injunction was obtained on land near Billericay before any development commenced, effectively preventing a similar situation from unfolding.
The current lack of proactive measures has fueled accusations of negligence and a perceived inability to protect the interests of local residents
James Cleverly Travellers Illegal Encampment Uttlesford District Council Willows Green
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