Traveller camp quits town park following enforcement notice issued by Harlow Council
News / Tue 27th Jun 2023 at 04:15pm
AN UNAUTHORISED encampment has left Harlow Town Park following an enforcement notice being issued by Harlow Council
Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “Following the swift and decisive action to serve a notice on the encampment, the caravans and vehicles left Harlow Town Park this afternoon (27 June 2023). We are not aware of any further reports of unauthorised traveller encampments in the town.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to unauthorised traveller encampments, and that is why we dealt with the situation immediately and served the encampment with a notice to leave.
“I would like to thank our Community Safety team and Essex Police for their work to resolve this situation both safely and swiftly. I’m glad that this has been resolved with minimum impact to residents and the town park.
“The action we take will always be about upholding the law, responding to the concerns of residents, and protecting the town’s open spaces.
The public can report unauthorised traveller encampments on public land in Harlow by calling 01279 446655 during normal office hours or 01279 446666 out of hours. Residents can also phone Essex Police on 101 if it is not an emergency.
Bruce Downey
2023-06-27 16:52:13
The end justifies the means. Goodbye 👋
Marie
2023-06-27 16:55:11
This is very welcome news. Well done Harlow Council. It is so important to Harlow residents to know that the council takes this matter seriously.
Kim Oconnor
2023-06-28 09:24:38
Dan swords, why aren't you providing more spaces for travelling people,??? May be if they had somewhere to go. You say you want to protect our open spaces.. But all your councils are doing is concreting over our green spaces... I know which one I prefer. Protect our green spaces you say. 😂 please.
Rob
2023-06-28 09:36:11
Brilliant, quick work ,thank you all involved.
James Leppard
2023-06-28 10:28:48
Kim O'Connor, I suggest you meet residents in my ward at Hawthorns, Hilly Field and Corner Meadow for their views on the existing traveller site at Fern Hill Lane. I receive a constant stream of complaints about anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and attempted burglary. If you asked residents across the town, I am sure you will be in a very small minority. Interesting to note the absolute silence on the part of Labour councillors to this positive news.
Darren
2023-06-28 16:22:47
Travellers are their own worst enemy I'm afraid. If they did not make people feel intimidated when walking past the encampment (ie hurling abuse) plus cleared up their mess as they left, things might be different for them. This is said from experience and observation having had an encampment near my home in years gone by.
Kim Oconnor
2023-06-28 18:08:09
James Leppard, you have all ready said this, in great detail of fern Hill, if its that bad why are you not removing them then.?? You have avoided this question.
James Leppard
2023-06-28 20:48:11
Kim O'Connor, please make some effort to be credible. If decent residents are highly opposed to these unauthorised encampments, why are you defending them. Is support for unauthorised encampments official policy of Harlow Green Party, which I understand you represent?
Kim Oconnor
2023-06-29 10:00:46
James Leppard, avoided the question again..... Why haven't your council removed fern Hill, if you say there so bad...? If descent travelling people had the spaces to go , you would not be having this trouble... I defend them because we have had traveler's for centuries, there part of our history.... there's good and bad in everyone. ... Answer the question, why haven't you removed fern Hill. And just for the record, yes I'm a green party candidate,, BUT I SPEAK FOR MY SELF.
James Leppard
2023-06-29 19:26:02
Kim O'Connor, traveller sites are administered under a partnership led by Essex CC and not Harlow District Council, as you probably know.
Kim Oconnor
2023-06-29 20:22:15
So you can move them from other sites. But you carnt move them from fern Hill, where you say ,is trouble.. Makes no sense.
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