Order to stop work 'ignored' at traveller site

Travellers developing an unauthorised site in North Yorkshire have ignored a High Court injunction aimed at halting work, according to a local councillor.

Planning officers from North Yorkshire Council served the interim injunction on occupants of the site near Hillam on Saturday, after obtaining the order from the High Court.

The injunction bans further development of the site near Sherburn in Elmet without planning permission, including bringing in caravans and carrying out construction works.

The council said it would continue monitoring the site for compliance, while Reform UK councillor Tim Grogan claimed the injunction had been "ignored" and that work was continuing.

The dispute centres on land off Betteras Hill Road, where work began on 11 September.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, HGVs delivered hardcore and building materials to the site over the following weekend, while heavy earth-moving machinery was brought in and at least 14 caravans have since been moved onto the land.

The council first served a temporary stop notice on 14 September before obtaining an interim injunction from the High Court, which was served on Saturday.

Grogan, whose Monk Fryston and South Milford division includes the site, said: "The officers turned up on Saturday and were told where to go, apparently. They've then completely ignored the notice and the lorries are still coming.

"The local residents are furious. They're holding a meeting to discuss what they can do."

During an earlier meeting about the development, Grogan said he was "not condemning travellers" as a community, but believed the location was unsuitable. He also called for more authorised sites to be provided.

Traveller advocate Wolfgang Douglas, a Romany Gypsy businessman and advisory board member of the Traveller Movement charity, previously said a shortage of authorised sites was forcing some families into difficult choices.

He said he did not support breaches of planning law, but argued there were often few alternative locations available to travelling families.

North Yorkshire Council's corporate director of community development, Nic Harne, said the authority "recognised concerns within the local community and had kept local councillors and the parish council informed throughout the case".

He said the council would continue to monitor the site for compliance with both the injunction and the temporary stop notice.

The interim injunction remains in force until a hearing at Leeds District Registry of the High Court on 21 October, when a judge will decide whether it should continue.

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