Occupants of unauthorised Traveller site near Leeds plan appeal to stay on site
More than 20 people living on the site planned to launch an appeal against an enforcement notice
The occupants of an unauthorised Traveller site near Leeds are planning to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to remain on the land, it has emerged.
A High Court judge agreed on Wednesday to allow an interim injunction, which prevents further work on the site at Hillam, west of Selby, from taking place, to be extended.
The hearing at Leeds Combined Court Centre heard that more than 20 people living on the site planned to launch an appeal against an enforcement notice issued by North Yorkshire Council.
High Honour Judge Mark Gargan ruled the injunction would remain in place while the appeal process took place after the proposal was agreed by barristers for the council and the Travellers.
On the continuation of the interim injunction, the judge said: “I am happy that this is a sensible approach to the difficulties.
“We don’t know what the outcome of the planning application will be, this is not a matter for me to decide.”
Speaking to the seven defendants who attended the hearing, he said: “It is important that the injunction is obeyed and there are no breaches.”
The judge said anyone found to have breached the injunction could face prosecution under contempt laws and ultimately be imprisoned.
The judge told Shemuel Sheikh, barrister for the council, that if the appeal was successful he expected the council’s legal action would end.
Michael Rudd, representing the occupants of the site in Betteras Hill Road, told the hearing the defendants had already instructed planning consultants to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate on their behalf.
Mr Rudd told the hearing it was hoped this appeal would be decided by May next year.
The court gave the occupants until November 20 to file the appeal.
Work began on the land on Friday, September 11, when heavy machinery and lorries carrying hardcore and building materials arrived.
Work continued over the weekend and at least 14 caravans were subsequently brought onto the site, prompting concern among nearby residents.
The council served a temporary stop notice on September 14 before securing an interim injunction from the High Court, which was served by planning enforcement officers with police support on September 19.
The injunction prohibits additional caravans being brought onto the land, further hardstanding, construction work and the installation of infrastructure without planning permission.
Legal proceedings were initially brought against 23 individuals as well as unidentified people by the council.
A total of 26 people have now been listed in legal documents for the court action.
Traveller and Gypsy advocates have previously warned that a shortage of authorised sites leaves some families with few options for somewhere to live.
While not condoning breaches of planning law, they argue that the lack of suitable alternatives can force travelling families into difficult situations.