Travellers have been ordered to cease bulldozing a greenfield site after South Cambridgeshire District Council secured a High Court injunction over the bank holiday weekend. Around a dozen workers operating three diggers arrived at a location between Histon and Cottenham in Cambridgeshire on Saturday, initiating the laying of hardcore materials and the erection of fencing.
Illegal Development Reported
Local residents reported the unauthorised activity to the council after noticing lorries transporting materials to the site and heavy machinery arriving. Subsequently, approximately 16 caravans appeared on the land, which overlooks farmland. Council officers promptly traced High Court judge Mr Justice Mansfield on Sunday, who granted an injunction against 'persons unknown' due to uncertainty regarding land ownership.
Purpose of Works
Stephen Kelly, Joint Director of Planning for Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service, indicated that the likely purpose of the works is to convert the site into a gypsy and traveller site. He noted that the works were deliberately carried out over the weekend when council offices are closed.
This incident is the latest example of travellers exploiting Bank Holiday weekends to develop fields. The typical strategy involves purchasing land, often in leafy, undeveloped areas, bulldozing trees and natural features, laying hard standings and utilities, and installing caravans. They then navigate the legal system to apply for retrospective planning permission, citing an unmet need for pitches.
Local Concerns
Despite the swift action near Cambridge, horrified locals fear the travellers will ultimately succeed, as two adjoining fields were previously developed without planning permission, one as recently as 18 months ago. A local resident stated: 'They developed ten acres in 1990. They purchased the land, built on it, and then applied for retrospective planning permission. Around 18 months ago, they took over a 12-acre orchard, which was a habitat for bats and muntjac and a fantastic variety of fruit trees. The new site means there's about 36 acres of traveller settlements. There were nine families 12 years ago, now there are about 40. Property values have dropped through the floor.'
Another local reported 'fist fights' started by the occupants, adding: 'I choose to live and let live, but only because I know what they're like and what they'll do otherwise.'
Injunction Details
During the hearing with Mr Justice Mansfield on Sunday, Emmaline Lambert, representing the council, admitted that once a site is occupied, enforcing proper planning control becomes difficult. She noted that Green Belt land is highly protected, with development rights limited to agricultural use. The judge expressed doubt that anyone would make agricultural use of the land given the hardstanding. The wide-ranging injunction prohibits residential occupation, bringing any structure for human habitation, erecting buildings, walls, gates, fences, or other structures, laying building materials, carrying out further engineering operations, and removing hedgerows, trees, or vegetation.
Broader Context
The Mail revealed similar works had started at other sites over the weekend, including West Chidlington in West Sussex, near the renowned English sparkling wine estate Nyetimber, and West Malling in Kent.
Cllr Henry Batchelor, SCDC's lead cabinet member for planning, stated: 'Having been made aware of a significant unauthorised development on land to the west of Moor Drove in Cottenham, the council acted swiftly to secure an emergency High Court injunction to prevent the works from continuing. This required significant work over the bank holiday weekend, and we are grateful to the Judge for making themselves available out of hours. It is important that everyone abides by planning rules, which protect our communities. Council officers have visited the site and will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Council expects to return to the High Court for a further hearing shortly.'
