Unlawful encampment arrives in Harlow

News / Sun 13th Sep 2020 at 06:34pm

YH understands that an unlawful encampment has settled on the area known as the “old helipad” opposite Harlow Leisurezone.

This appears to the first encampment since the injunctions Harlow Council had been granted have lapsed.

This may well mean that the swift action, Harlow Council used to be able to implement may be replaced by a much slower legal process.

YH has contacted Harlow Council for a comment.

Harlow Council leader Mark Ingall said:“ The Council was made aware of an number of caravans moving onto the old heliport opposite the Leisure Zone last night.

I am afraid this is the inevitable consequence of the expiry of our injunction to prevent unlawful encampments in Harlow.

What is also inevitable is that there will be some who will try and point the finger of blame at the Council for the expiry of the injunction. I would remind residents that Harlow Council tried to extend the injunction, even though legal advice was that doing so was unlikely to succeed, and that the Council only withdrew its application when preliminary questioning made it clear that there was no chance the court would rule in our favour.

We will now pursue all the legal channels available to us to protect our precious green spaces.”

Photo: Archive

7 Comments for Unlawful encampment arrives in Harlow:

Danny

2020-09-14 10:36:35

This is thanks to the leader of this Labour administration council. Thank you very much. This will cost us council tax payer jere in Harlow more money. No leader of any council, no matter who they represent,should not have the last say on what goes on with in the local community. The MP and the people of that area should have the last say.

Raymond Douglas Dove

2020-09-14 10:59:32

Harlow council are a absolute joke the enforcement high court order should have been kept in place what we are now going to have is loads of illegal encampments around harlow we had in access of 150 illegal encampments last time which cost the tax payers thousands to clean up after them .crime rate will go up around the town with vehicles being stolen dogs will be taken people of harlow do not want these people in our town .

Paul Pegrum

2020-09-14 12:56:27

I find it absolutely disgusting that nothing can be done to remove these scum from our town they leave a mess and ruin the surroundings and it’s the Harlow tax payer that picks up the bill If drove my car across the grass and cycle track then erected my tent I would imagine the police would be there telling me to go pretty quick it appears these so called travelers are untouchable Perhaps we the people should get together and persuade them them to go

Dawn Silver

2020-09-14 14:02:20

Travelling communities are not illegal! They are systemically and routinely discriminated against when all the need is a place to remain. It is a did-used helipad, why on earth would this be an issue? People are not illegal, have some compassion and empathy!

Roy Walker

2020-09-14 14:10:16

So as per usual the over paid local authority executives who are grossly overpaid will swerve all blame and responsibility leaving the council tax payers to foot the bill as usual. Maybe the police who if they ever look at a Harlow council tax bill and see there fantastic pension is subsidised by council tax payers will just for once step up and take the action against these people instead of turming a blind eye.