Villagers’ fury after travellers on ‘£3m’ site given planning permission despite High Court order to leave
FURIOUS locals have hit out after travellers were given planning permission for a sprawling site in an upmarket village – despite being ordered to leave.
Residents in Little Hadham, Hertfordshire, have been left stunned after a planning inspector ruled the encampment must stay despite a High Court hearing.
Permission was granted after the travellers moved in on Friday laden with heavy equipment and 2,000 tonnes of hardcore.
They were slapped with an injunction and ordered to leave – but now 10 caravans and 10 mobile homes can stay on the outskirts of the posh village, where houses can sell for as much as £1.7million.
More than 200 locals have now complained over loud partying and daily rubbish fires.
One said: “This is a bitter pill to swallow, especially for anyone who pays their taxes and upholds the law.
“When they moved onto the site, it was with military precision. I think they caught everyone napping.
‘MASSIVE SECURITY RISK’
“They’ve put a decent driveway in and then you had to laugh as suddenly there were these little speed limit signs.
“I’m not saying I’m over the moon about what’s happened, but you have to take your hat off to them about how it was all done. They knew what they were doing, and now it’s paid off in bucketloads.”
Another resident fumed: “We’re just going to have to wait and see now. I think there will be further action on this, there has to be.”
Hundreds of letters were also sent to the council opposing the site.
Gary Woods wrote: “I would like to register my vehement objection to this planning application.
“Should this application be allowed it will do nothing other than promote a massive security risk to the homes and businesses in the area.”
MILLIONAIRES’ VILLAGE
The land – which has been a grazing field for cattle for at least 15 years – was bought in 2018 for £95,000. Locals say the land would be worth £3million if it gets developed.
Making the ruling the planning inspector said “the development would not unduly harm that character and appearance of the surrounding area”.
But the influential residents of the well-heeled settlement, which include former England football star Matthew Upson, have been shocked by the decision.
The travellers officially filed for planning permission in May, prompting anger from local residents.
Taxpayers now face a costly battle to try and overturn the ruling, which was made yesterday following a High Court injunction to tear down the works.
NEXT DALE FARM
Little Hadham’s quaint streets are usually lined with Porsches and Bentleys, and the village boasts 53 pads worth over £1million.
After being ordered to leave the successful planning application was made by a Timothy Mahoney – with East Hertfordshire Council pledging to fight the ruling.
A spokesman said: “We are extremely disappointed with the outcome. We will be taking further legal advice and looking at our options.”
Dale Farm in Essex was once the largest illegal travellers’ site in Europe before being cleared in October 2011.
At its height more than 1,000 were people living there – and was at the centre of a decade-long planning row.
The eviction cost taxpayers almost £7million.
In 2017 council officials began to clear a shocking 180 tonnes of rubbish, asbestos and litter left near the site in Crays Hill.